Some days feel heavy. Just to get through them feels like shoveling wet snow in a blizzard; as a little snow is cleared, more is dumped in its place. Troubles pile on more quickly than they can be processed. Relationships crumble, the to-do list lengthens, health fails, and stresses accumulate, making it difficult to find happiness.
This kind of heaviness was unfamiliar to Nehemiah. He had served the king as his cup-bearer long enough for the king to know that Nehemiah was generally a contented man. But this particular day, he was sad. He had received word that Jerusalem lay in ruins, destroyed by fire — and he was heartsick.
King Artaxerxes noticed the change of demeanor and questioned him: “Why are you so sad? You aren’t sick, so this is obviously sadness of the heart.” The king went on to ask Nehemiah what he needed.
Nehemiah was surprised by the king’s observations, and he was frightened. He wondered how he could possibly respond to the king who was likely responsible for ransacking his home city. Scripture tells us that Nehemiah was afraid … so he prayed.
Right there in the middle of the conversation with the king, he breathed a prayer to the God who was his constant companion. There wasn’t a moment to waste and Nehemiah knew where to turn in his time of distress.
As Nehemiah tells the story, “I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king.” It wasn’t a long conversation; it took only a moment to present his request to God. “Help me know how to respond.” And then Nehemiah spoke. He asked Artaxerxes for time to go rebuild the walls of his city. The king responded generously, not only providing time off, but sending him with letters of safe conduct and permission to use royal timber for the building project.
It was a remarkable cure for the blues. A felt need … a simple prayer … a statement of need. Nehemiah’s day — and life — was turned around.
April 5 begins our campus-wide journey of prayer. We encourage you to find some colleagues to pray with during your usual lunch time each Tuesday. A prayer service will be held in the Loma Linda University Medical Center chapel at noon each week. Let’s commit ourselves to prayer as we ask God to lead Loma Linda University Health.
Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 6:40
Kathy McMillan, MA
Director
Employee spiritual care
Loma Linda University Medical Center