Nehemiah the cupbearer gave himself to abundant prayer (Nehemiah 1:5–11). The greater Nehemiah, Jesus Christ, gave himself to abundant prayer also (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:35; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:28). In his own surprising way, the Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayer by bending the king’s heart to grant his request. In a more surprising way still, the Lord God answered Jesus’ petitions too, ultimately by using the authorities to have his only Son crucified as sacrifice for sin.
4 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.