It was once said that leadership is simply taking people from position A to position B. To achieve this you have to either explain to those you are leading how bad position A is or how much better position B will be. 

Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem and before he tells the people of his plans and the task that God has ordained him to do, he decides to take ‘only a few others’ with him and investigate what is needed for the plan to be achieved. Some might say he was being secretive or not very transparent, but not everything has to be shared with everyone all the time. 

Whenever someone is successful, there is a person in the background offended by their achievements. For every politician who wins the vote, there is someone who loses out. For every salesperson who, scores a big contract there is one who misses out on a bonus. 

This is a beautiful moment in the story, where Nehemiah adds the extravagant request. Makes the Big Ask. Having nervously asked the King for some leave and got his royal approval, he then adds on an extra plea: ‘Could I have a security team and extra timber, because I will need the wood for the new walls, gates and a house for myself!’ Nehemiah, the cupbearer has upsold the King. How often do we only ask for the bare minimum? 

My children know when the best times are to ask me for something, whether it be for me to help them with their homework, give them a lift to a friend’s house or whether we might plan to go somewhere special at the weekend. 

In the TV show Dragons Den, potential entrepreneurs present their ideas to wealthy business people, hoping for financial investment in their big idea. Once they have completed their pitch, they are asked questions by the Dragons. 

We know from the story of Queen Esther about the importance of presentation in front of the king. Anyone in the court of the king must meet his approval, so a great amount of effort would go into the outfits that would be worn and the make-up applied to cover any blemishes. 

We mentioned a few days ago how the practice of prayer is more like sowing seeds than using a heavenly slot machine. If we want to see favour and blessing in our lives, we need to be praying today for opportunities of favour tomorrow. 

Have you ever read the Bible and considered what part of the story you resonate with. People often place themselves in the position of the hero of the story. They are David not Goliath, they are Paul not Saul, they are Esther or Mordecai but definitely not Haman, they are Joseph but never one of his many brothers. 

Sometimes the concept of prayer is seen as a shiny chrome celestial slot machine. Prayer is asking God for things we desire, and He gives them to us. Anything is possible. A bit like when I was a child, circling all the things I would want for Christmas in the, now defunct, Argos catalogue and leaving it lying around to ensure my parents were aware of my festive request, hopeful that they would get the hint.