A Prayer for Favor with the King by Nehemiah

Whenever you are in need of favor from someone in power, the prayer of Nehemiah can help you express yourself in prayer.

Background of the Scripture:

In around 445 BC Nehemiah was an Israelite who was the royal cup bearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia.  When Nehemiah received word that Jerusalem was in dire straits he became deeply troubled and grieved, fasted and prayed for days.  He felt called and compelled to undertake the dangerous mission of traveling to Jerusalem to rally the people to rebuild the walls and reclaim their faith.  However this mission could not be undertaken without the support and permission of the king who had little to gain supporting such an undertaking.  Here is Nehemiah’s prayer

Nehemiah 1:4-11

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.  For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.  Then I said,

“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.  I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you.  We have acted very wickedly toward you.  We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and always you gave your servant Moses.

Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.

They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name.  Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

How I used this Scripture in Prayer

When I was trying to start our new nonprofit organization I had little experience in such matters and I also did not feel confident asking people to take on demanding volunteer positions in a start-up ministry.  I used this scripture to help me gain confidence to pray for success and that I be granted favor with the people I was talking with about positions.