Many believers still have the difficulty understanding this truth: God does not answer ANY prayer that we present to Him. He answers the prayers that are according to His will. Sometimes, your prayer is leading you to death (spiritually or sometimes physically) and when you present it to the Lord, because He knows the future, He does not grant it to you. My brother, my sister, this is only because of His unfailing and never-ending love for you. It is not everything you want that is beneficial for you (1 Corinthians 10:23). Now, there are prayers that the Lord answers immediately too: those that are made according to His will. In today’s passage we learn that Nehemiah was concerned about Jerusalem because it was the Jews’ holy city and he wanted to return there not only to reunite the Jews but also to remove the shame of Jerusalem’s broken-down walls. His action was going to bring glory to God and restore the reality and power of God’s presence among His people. So, Nehemiah did not remain on his tears for Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:4), but he started fasting and praying for God to help him do something about this situation… This should teach something here: when you see things are not right in your church, what do you do about it? Do you start gossiping or accusing people, or does it hurt you to tears up to bringing you to fast and pray? Let’s return to Nehemiah: being in a position to talk to the king as His trusted cup-bearer, the Lord ended up opening an opportunity for Nehemiah to expose his concern and the king favoured him by not only giving him the permission to go and rebuild the walls, but also giving him letters that were going to stop any opposing parties from hindering his mission. Yes, my friend, when God opens doors, even your opponents are neutralised… especially when it is for His Kingdom! Each of us is unique before the Lord and we are all capable of serving no matter our position. Use your present situation or position to serve God. You see, Nehemiah asked for success in his mission, not just for the strength to cope with problems (Nehemiah 2:20). What are you praying the Lord for? Things are missing or not working in your church, but all your prayers are about your own well-being, your own health, your own success? No!!! Start crying before the Lord about the ruin of His temple, and you will see His faithfulness at work. He knows what you need, He knows the desires of your heart. The Bible says “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4-5). How can you delight the Lord? Only by doing what delights Him, not by crying over your own problems. The Lord says His Kingdom first! Today, you are already more than conqueror in Jesus’ name… so, it may be the motives of your prayers that are not right then for God not to answer your prayers (James 4:3). You see, the success Nehemiah prayed for was not for personal advantage. He requested success for God’s work! Yes, my dear friend, when God’s purposes are at work in your life, then He will hear your prayers immediately, grant you success immediately and everything that comes along with it: health, protection, etc… stay blessed in Jesus’ name. [facebook] [retweet]