Q4. Nehemiah's Arrow Prayer
#2
Posted 11 November 2005 - 11:34 AM
This was THE moment Nehemiah had been praying about for months, and before he opened his mouth to speak, I think he cried out in his spirit for God to be glorified. Perhaps he quickly prayed for courage, for just the right words, and for God to do what only He could do in the king's heart. Nehemiah had been imploring God to grant him success and favor all along, and I imagine that he was releasing this moment of opportunity completely into God's hands. Many times at some crucial point in a situation, I have quickly prayed, "LORD, if You don't show up right now, if You aren't in control, this moment will be a disaster! HELP!!"
#3
Posted 14 November 2005 - 02:38 PM
He could lose his head for his request.
Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king?
He is asking God if this is the right thing to say and the right time to say it.
We need to do this in all situations we are placed in.
How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished?
When you have a relationship with the Father where you are talking back and forth, then you can come quickly to God and ask an arrow type prayer. What do you think God.
You can’t go up to a stranger and ask what they think about something and expect to get a answer that is relevant to your life. The stranger knows nothing about your life and what your circumstances are. Only a close friend would be able to give you that kind of answer.
#4
Posted 15 November 2005 - 01:07 AM
Nehemiah faces banishment from the king. He prays quickly and silently because he knows that the time for him to act is upon him. The "arrow prayer" was somewhat of a "post script" to all the praying he had done four months previously.
#5
Posted 16 November 2005 - 01:16 AM
The silent prayer was for wisdom in the moment, and the presence of God to determine the situation. Little did the king know whose presence he was in!
The months of prayer brought Nehemiah into the presence of God continually, so that He began even thinking like God - Hence the movement in his heart about Jerusalem. It was this togethernes of God and prophet that actually produced this situation in which Nehemiah found himself, with his sad countenance before the king, and that prompted the king's concern and question. How amazing is God, that he could produce compassion in that king! Certainly God chose the moment! I believe that Nehemiah, in his humility and year of faithful service to his majesty, and totally non-threatening posture before the king, actually enabled the king, who trustd him, to soften and connect with that sense of compassion. (Pharaoh of Egypt never made it that far into compassion!)
#6
Posted 16 November 2005 - 02:32 AM
The “arrow prayer” is similar to when Jesus asked God to reveal HIMSELF at Lazarus’ tomb. It is only there to be evident that God is responding or at work, not to have focus on man’s part in the play. It is an act of humility to allow the real work to be done by GOD.
With a thankful heart, accepting HIS grace, I can stand firm in shoes of peace,
Prayer Driven, Jaclyn
#7
Posted 16 November 2005 - 02:01 PM
He knew that from speaking out the King could dismiss him from service - banish him. Nehemiah was use to prayer as he prayed frequently. He knew that God was always in charge and was always present to hear and answer prayer. He had estabhlished that personal relationship with God during times of extended prayer.
#8
Posted 16 November 2005 - 02:09 PM
Nehemiah faced possible death if he was not in God's timing or will, and sometimes, we face loss of friendship or connection to others when we are praying for them and trying to follow up on our main prayers for them. I feel this especially where my family members who are not saved are concerned. My words can easily be from me instead of the Lord, and my heart submits many arrow prayers for His guidance when they are with me.
#9
Posted 16 November 2005 - 03:11 PM
No matter how long the prayer is, if it comes from the heart, God will answer. He delights in meeting the needs of HIS people..
#10
Posted 16 November 2005 - 10:51 PM
NEHEMIAH IS IN DANGER WHEN HE INITIATES A CONVERSATION WITH THE KING FOR IT IS FORBIDDEN BECAUSE HE IS A SERVANT. BUT THE KING ASK NEHEMIAH ABOUT HIS SADNESS WHICH OPENS THE DOOR FOR HIM TO RESPOND (EVEN IF HE IS SUPPOSE TO PRETEND TO BE HAPPY SERVING THE KING AT ALL TIMES) HE WILL BE ABLE TO RESPOND ABOUT WHAT HAS SADDENED HIM.
Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king?
NEHEMIAH HAS TO BE SURE THAT HE SAYS THE RIGHT THING BECAUSE IF HE OFFENDS THE KING HE COULD FACE GREAT CONSEQUENCES. HE THEN PRAYS TO GOD FOR HELP SO THAT HE KNOWS HE HAS FAVOR WITH THIS KING AND THAT HIS WORDS WILL ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF JERUSALEM.
How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished?
THE ARROW PRAYER IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH GOD. NEHEMIAH HAS PRAYED DAY AND NIGHT ABOUT THIS DAY. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME HE HAS PRAYED ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN JERUSALEM. IN THIS SITUATION THE QUALITY OF PRAY ISN'T IMPORTANT BUT THE QUANTITY IS.
#11
Posted 17 November 2005 - 12:56 AM
Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king? To ascertain the almighty Gods protection and favour.
How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished? The arrow prayer is a more a prayer of seeking his final assurance from God on protection and favour upon his mission and his life.
#12
Posted 17 November 2005 - 01:46 PM
from being placed in the dungen to death.
Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king?
to ask GOD for his help, knowing that he is asking for something big and can't achieve it alone.
How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished?
(a quick reminder) just because he spent 4 months praying doesn't mean that is what GOD has in mind for him. it also shows that he knows who's in charge.
#13
Posted 18 November 2005 - 04:23 AM
He is in danger of losing everything including his life in a dungeon.
Why does he pray silently and quickly before answering the king?
He is alone so he asks God for help cause he can not do it alone
How does this quick arrow prayer relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished?
This quick prayer was kind of reassurance for Nehemiah and for the nation of the Israelites to have complete faith and trust in God.
#14
Posted 18 November 2005 - 06:43 PM
He prayer was that God would touch the Kings heart who would then grant him his petition. One word or "arrow" prayers don't say a lot but they mean a lot. Help Lord, can mean "Lord, here I go please give me Divine mercy", or something of that effect.
It sums up the weeping before God and prayers that He's been petitioning God to consider and act on. He'd heard of the plight of his countrymen, the sad state of affairs of the city that he loved and its walls. Weeping before God constantly reminding God of the terrible conditions and the dangers. He most certainly had suggested to God what the remedy could be (permission to conclude what had been started but not completed) but not having the resources that the King had, plus even if he wanted to go he'd have to get permission from the King to do so. But then he couldn't empty handed. God was certainly needed to bring this to pass.
#15
Posted 19 November 2005 - 02:37 PM
The loss of his job would have been the least her could have expected to have happen, the though that I am sure was running through his mind was that he would lose his life if he upset or displeased the king.
Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king?
Just as us when faced with danger or the threat of life being taken from us he cried out to God for help. We all do arrow prayers like if we are about to be in a car accident there are times the only thing we have time for is the name of Jesus. But he hears and answers our plea for help.
How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished?
It is the last cry to God before he knows that the king will take action. He wants to get God attention make sure it is there right that moment to move on the heart of the king. I would think we would all want to make sure God was there with us at that moment as we do when we have to face things where we have to step out in faith.
#16
Posted 21 November 2005 - 05:04 PM
Being fired, banished from the King forever.
To help him get through the moment with courage and steadiness and the strength to be bold.
The "arrow" prayer is just a quick calling for help in the heat of the moment. Nehemiah knows he has prayed and agonized about this and has asked for the courage to seize the moment when it came. When it did finally come he just asked God for the strength right then to go through the moment and ask what he needed to ask.
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART!
#17
Posted 23 November 2005 - 03:16 PM
That's why he prays quickly because of what he is about to say to the king! His life could very well be on the line, and all the good he intends for Jerusalem, out the window.
This quick arrow prayer is the last bit of help he can request of God before speaking, the jumpstart to his speach perhaps; the "here it goes, please help me", end cap to the last four months of prayer and fasting.
#18
Posted 25 November 2005 - 10:41 AM
Nehemiah is in danger of being banished from the King's presence, losing his job, his position or even his life. So he quickly dashes off the arrow prayer. As discussed, this arrow prayer is not isolated. In fact it is the continuation of the 4 months ordeal that Nehemiah has been enduring. It is the culmination of those four months intercession and now is the results time. This is the day. Now is the time. How many times we have heard those terms. And how many times we have just ignored them out of callous indifference. God will judge us for what we do in our earthly life. Lets be warned through this lesson. God gives us oportunities in the places we are placed so that we are instrumental in furthering His causes. If we are unfaithful, then we may face lifelong banishment from the Kingdom of God.
[FONT=Times]I can do all things through Christ that
strengthens me. Phil 4:13
#19
Posted 28 November 2005 - 03:39 PM
What danger is Nehemiah in?
If he had made the king made at him over the request he could have lost his life.
Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king?
Because he knew he needed Gods strength and help in order to do it and not make trouble for himself.
How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished?
He knows that he has to have help, so he cry's out to God to help him to be able to say what he needs to say.
Mary
#20
Posted 01 December 2005 - 06:22 PM
Nehemiah goes in to serve the King with a sad countenence and this could back fire on him and he could have been dismissed from service as a servant is not supposed to betray any emotion.
Nehemiah needed God's wisdom and favor when he answered the king and so he prayed a quick prayer.
Nehemiah had been praying for four months for his land.His arrow prayer was his final effort of getting what God wanted for him through the king.

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