Nehemiah, a devout Jew, was the cupbearer to king Artaxerxes in Babylon. Artaxerxes was the most powerful ruler in the world at that time. As the cupbearer, Nehemiah was in a powerful position but also a dangerous one. Being that close to the flame had its advantages and its dangers. Nehemiah had recently heard of the plight of his people back in Jerusalem and he was deeply depressed and sad. 

We pick up the story in Nehemiah 2:1-6.

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

Notice that Nehemiah was very much afraid when Artaxerxes asked him why he was sad. You didn’t do that around the king. But I love this line when the king asks Nehemiah what he wants. “Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king.” Not only did he ask for a leave of absence, but he asked for letters of safe conduct and, on top of that, all the timber he needed from the king’s forest to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. A cup bearer just didn’t make these kinds of asks, or any asks for that matter.

I love Nehemiah’s audacious prayer and audacious ask. He was willing to trust God and take a risk and, amazingly, the king gave him everything he asked for. The chances of that are one in a million, but for God. 

Nehemiah reminds us that when our hearts are in tune with God’s heart we can ask Him whatever we need and God is able to give us favor. When was the last time you prayed an audacious prayer? 

Father, would you help me like Nehemiah to pray audacious prayers, knowing that you are able to grant me favor to accomplish your purposes? Amen.