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"SO I PRAYED TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN" "Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? SO I PRAYED TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN." (Nehemiah 2:4) (caps mine)Throughout this 2nd chapter, we witness a transition of Nehemiah from his position as the king's cupbearer in Susa to his leadership role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. It is a story of prayer, faith, and God's intervention in the restoration of a city and its people.Now, I find three wonderful truths in this little verse regarding Nehemiah's prayer:First, notice where this prayer was offered. It wasn't as Nehemiah was kneeling by his bed, or while seated in some place of worship, or off frolicking about one day enjoying one of nature's scenic spots. No, Nehemiah prayed during his conversation with Artaxerxes (vs. 2-4). Nehemiah, who was the royal cupbearer, knew he needed to choose the right words when he spoke with the king concerning his homeland, so he lifts his voice in prayer to Heaven while talking with this earthly ruler. And what happens? Well, God answered that prayer (v.6). The Psalmist reminds us, "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. (Psalm 65:2) Now that verse right there is something we can sink our hearts into the next time we wonder if it's important to ask God for His intervention, His direction, and His protection. It will also serve us well when we're dealing with others who sit in a seat of authority (Proverbs 21:1).Next, I see to Whom Nehemiah prays. He prays to "the God of heaven." While living in a God-rejecting country, surrounded by idolatry and paganism, Nehemiah clings to the one True and Living God. To be sure, countless counterfeit gods are offered in many religions in our land these days, and each of them are just reworking that age-old Eastern Paganism. One thing we need to remember from Nehemiah is that, although there are many false gods to which one can pray to, there's only one true God Who will answer us! He has the strength to fulfill needs, move hearts, change circumstances, and forgive sins. Only the God of Heaven, who rules over earth, is more than worthy of our prayers.Finally, I find Nehemiah saying it was "I" who prayed. How important is that? Well, that's a good question, and here comes a great answer. Nehemiah didn't look to his parents, or one of the prophets, or some other person to do his praying. He personally pursued and looked to "the God of heaven" from Whom he knew the answers would be given. Godly Nehemiah didn't have a here-a-day, there-a-day, and sometimes miss-a-day "PRAYER TIME." No, his was that every day, everywhere, about everything "PRAYER LIFE."Friends, when facing those constant pressing decisions, will you respond like Nehemiah did that day, "So I prayed to the God of heaven"? Never think yourselves too busy to pray, because God is never too busy to hear our prayers, to answer our prayers, or to become involved in our prayer requests!