Some questions only come once in a lifetime. This is one of them: how would you answer if the
world’s most powerful person asked, “What do you want?”
Nehemiah’s Bold Request
In Nehemiah 2:1–10, Nehemiah appears before the king, burdened by the broken state of
Jerusalem. When the king asks what he wants, Nehemiah boldly asks for permission,
protection, and resources to rebuild the city God had placed on his heart.
Our Sunday school class is going through Nehemiah and watching a video series from Ozark
Christian College. Mike Ackerman is walking us through the book, and I’ve been struck by the
lesson from chapter two.
Prayer in the Moment
Nehemiah didn’t step away for a long prayer meeting. In the middle of the most important
conversation of his life, he shot up a prayer to God before answering the king. For me, this is a
challenge to make sure I know my Bible and that I am in daily conversation with God. I don’t
think I could default to something like this unless it was already part of my life during times that
were not so high stakes.
It was most likely months before Nehemiah found himself in this situation. In some sense, he
was ready because he had been mulling it over with God during that time. But this conversation
was initiated by the king, so he still had to react, possibly without expecting the moment.
I know we are not all in situations where we are talking to a king, but life brings high-stakes
moments. It’s good to be ready, both in season and out of season. After reading this, I’m
challenged to find ways to offer smaller prayers throughout the day and be prepared to do so
when those critical moments come.
Aligning Your Heart with God
Nehemiah’s heart was in the right place, and that kind of alignment doesn’t happen simply by
attending church. It requires an ongoing wrestling with personal desires so they lean toward
what God wants, not just what feels natural. Too often, worry comes more easily than prayer or
fasting. Looking at Nehemiah, and ultimately at Jesus, reminds us that faith requires intentional
effort and an honest awareness of how easily the heart can drift. That reality becomes clearer
over time, even for those who have walked with Christ for many years.
If faith is as important as it is often said to be, it deserves the same intentional time given to
family or work. That doesn’t mean neglecting responsibilities, but setting specific times for
prayer, fasting, and Bible reading can help create space for those practices. To some, this might
seem unusual or even legalistic, yet it can make spiritual disciplines tangible and consistent.
Since the pull toward selfishness is a daily reality, regular practice becomes even more
important. The hope is that the first instinct in any situation becomes, “God, what do You want
here?”
Nehemiah’s care for Jerusalem had been forming over time in his private prayers, so when the
moment came, he was ready to act boldly.
Living with Eternity in Mind
I want my motives and actions to reflect that heaven is the most important thing in my life. If
someone followed me throughout the day, I would want them to see that my priorities are God,
my family, and my ministry. I know that looks different for everyone, so I wonder what that would
look like for you. How often do my goals revolve around comfort, success, or security? Does
eternity even enter my mind?
We have to ask ourselves: What decisions would I change if I truly believed eternity mattered
most? Am I willing to sacrifice reputation, resources, or comfort for eternal impact?
Boldness in Action
Once Nehemiah’s heart was aligned, he spoke boldly. He asked for permission, protection, and
timber to rebuild. I believe that when we are aligned with God, great things can happen. Some
may seem small, but they can be incredibly impactful for many people.
We also have to wrestle with what keeps us from speaking up or acting boldly. We can
rationalize reasons not to act, but often fear is at the root. If we continue to ask God to speak
into our lives, we will be ready to step forward in faith. Boldness is not personality; it’s conviction
that God is already at work.
Considerations for Reflection
1. Am I close enough to God to pray for the right words and heart in life’s pivotal moments?
2. Am I intentionally aligning my desires with His, so my motives reflect His priorities rather
than my own?
3. Do my actions reflect that eternity is my highest priority?
4. Am I stepping forward in confidence when God calls me, speaking and acting without
fear?
5. Am I balancing planning and action with humble dependence on God, trusting His
guidance rather than relying solely on my own understanding?
The real question may not be how we answer if the most powerful person in the world asked,
“What do you want?” The more important question is whether our hearts today are shaping our
words, actions, and decisions to reflect God’s purposes and align with His eternal plan.
Written by Randy Jones