1

God answered Nehemiah's prayer

2

[ Nehemiah 1:11 ]

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." I was cupbearer to the king.

3

The Judean nation, which sinned against God, was destroyed by Babylon and many were taken captive. God promised, through the prophet Jeremiah, that 70 years later, He will restore the nation.

4

God's promise came true. Seventy years later, In the days of Cyrus the king of Persia built after Babylon, the people of Judah were able to return to their hometown of Judah. They overcame the disobedience of the Samaritans and completed the temple of God.

5

The people of Judah did their best to rebuild the fallen city of Jerusalem. But the opposition from the Samaritans was stronger than when they built the temple. They sent a false letter to King Artaxerxes king of Persia not to build the city of Jerusalem.

6

King Artaxerxes accepted their request so that they could no longer build the city of Jerusalem. The building of the city of Jerusalem was interrupted, and it was turned into ruins. And the people who lived there were having great difficulties with those around them.

7

This news was delivered to Nehemiah in Persia by Hanani and some from Judah. Nehemiah was a Jew who had great confidence in King Artaxerxes. He was a believer in the king, who was in charge of managing the king's wine. Nehemiah was in a position where life was very comfortable and abundant.

8

Nehemiah was so sad to hear that the walls of Jerusalem were falling, the gates burned, and the people there were suffering greatly. He cried for days. He was so sad that he did not eat food.

9

Nehemiah began to pray in hopes that he could rebuild the city of Jerusalem. He prayed hard day and night. He prayed in faith that God would allow him to rebuild the city of Jerusalem.

10

It was about four months after he started praying. That same day Nehemiah brought wine to the king. Nehemiah had a sorrowful face as he worried about Jerusalem.

11

King Artaxerxes noticed a great sorrow on Nehemiah's face. “Why are you so sad?

Doesn't it hurt, but are you worried about anything?” Nehemiah was greatly surprised at the king's words. Because he could be punished for having a sad face before the king.

12

Nehemiah was afraid but believed in God and told the king what his worries were. “Lord, long live you. I have a sad face because the castle where my ancestors were buried was ruined and the gates burned down. ”

13

King Artaxerxes, who heard Nehemiah's story, asked favorably, "What do you want?" Upon hearing the king, Nehemiah immediately offered a short prayer to the God of heaven.

14

Then he told the king what he wanted. “If you like me, send me to the city of Judah, where my fathers are buried. I will rebuild it.”

15

As Nehemiah spoke these words, the queen was with him. The king allowed him to do what Nehemiah said. And surprisingly, the king wrote letters to the governors so that Nehemiah could go safely to Judah.

16

The king gave the necessary trees as Nehemiah demanded, and sent officers and horsemen together to return safely to Judah. Returning to Judah, Nehemiah overcame all the difficulties and rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem that he had longed for in 52 days. Everything was possible because God was with Nehemiah.

17

God answered Nehemiah's earnest prayer. He moved the heart of King Artaxerxes to listen to Nehemiah's request. Prayer to God makes the impossible possible. God will answer 100% of your prayers for the things of God's joy and help them to be done. May you be a miracle like Nehemiah, who believes in God's delight and is answered by prayer.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)