THE QUESTION

When the king asked Nehemiah, “What is it you want?”, what did Nehemiah do before answering?

A) Asked for time to consult the priests

B) Asked the queen to speak for him

C) Read aloud a letter from Jerusalem

D) Prayed to the God of heaven  ✓

A closer look

Nehemiah was serving King Artaxerxes when the king noticed his sadness. Nehemiah explained that the city where his ancestors were buried lay in ruins. The king then asked what he wanted (Nehemiah 2:1–4).

Before recording his answer, Nehemiah tells us that he prayed to the God of heaven. We are not given the words or the length of that prayer. We are simply shown that, in the middle of this important conversation, he turned to God (Nehemiah 2:4–5).

Then he answered. He asked to be sent to Judah to rebuild the city, and later requested letters for safe passage and timber for the work. Prayer and thoughtful action belonged together; asking God did not replace making a clear request (Nehemiah 2:5–8).

As for the other answers: the passage does not say he consulted priests, asked the queen to speak, or read a letter aloud. The action he records between the king’s question and his answer is prayer.

There is an encouraging invitation in that small detail. We can turn to God in the middle of life, not only when everything is quiet. Before an important answer or a difficult decision, we can ask for wisdom. Alongside today’s verse, Nehemiah reminds us that asking God and taking the next faithful step can be part of the same moment.

See you tomorrow for a new verse, prayer, and trivia. Have a blessed day. ♡