The Kings Cup-Bearer | Page 8

the presence of a Persian king. However heavy might be
his heart, however sorrowful his spirit, he must cross the threshold of
the palace with a smiling face, and show no signs in the king's presence
of the trouble within. But Nehemiah's face has betrayed him. What will
the king do? Will he dismiss him from office? Will he degrade him
from his high position? Will he punish him for his breach of court
etiquette? Or can it be that this is a heaven-sent opportunity in which he
may make his request? He answers at once:
'Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad,
when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the
gates thereof are consumed with fire?'
And the king, quite understanding from Nehemiah's speech that he
wants something from him, asks immediately:
'For what dost thou make request?'
Oh, what a critical moment! How much depends on Nehemiah's answer
to this unexpected question! What shall he say? What dare he propose?
The whole future of Jerusalem may hang on his answer to the king's
question.
There is a moment's pause, but only a moment's, and then Nehemiah's
answer is given. Only a moment, and yet great things have been done
in that short time. 'I prayed,' says the Rab-shakeh, 'to the God of
Heaven.'
Did he then rush away to his own apartment to pray? Did he kneel
down in the midst of the banqueting hall and call upon his God? No, he
spoke no word aloud, he did not even close his eyes. The king saw
nothing, knew nothing of what was going on; yet a mighty transaction
took place in that short time between the silent man, who still stood

holding the cup in his hands, and the King of Heaven.
We are not told what the prayer was, perhaps it was only, 'Lord, help
me.' But quick as lightning the answer came. His fear fled, wisdom was
given him to answer, and his heart's desire was granted.
How often we hear the complaint, 'I cannot pray long prayers, like the
good people I read of in books. I lead a busy active life, and when work
is done my body is weary and exhausted, and I find it impossible to
pray for any length of time, and sometimes I fear that because I cannot
offer long prayers I cannot therefore be the Lord's.' But surely it is not
long prayers that the Lord requires. Most of the Bible prayers are short
prayers, the Lord's pattern-prayer is one of the shortest. It is the heathen
who think they will be heard for their much speaking. Nehemiah's was
a true prayer, and an answered prayer, yet it was but a moment in
length.
Nor are uttered words necessary to prayer. The followers of Baal cried
aloud, thinking their much shouting would reach the ear of their god,
but Nehemiah speaks not, does not even whisper, and his prayer is
heard in heaven. Surely now-a-days, when there are some who seem to
think that much noise, that loud shouting, that the uplifted voice must
needs pierce the sky, it is well for us to be reminded that God heeds no
language, hears no voice, but the language of the soul, the voice of the
innermost heart.
Nor is posture a necessary part of prayer. Some choose to pray standing,
others prefer to kneel. It is not the posture of body God looks at, but the
posture of the heart. Reverence there must be, but such reverence as
comes from the inner sanctuary of the soul, and which only finds
outward expression in the body. Nehemiah stood with the jewelled cup
in his hands, yet Nehemiah's prayer was heard.
So we see that heartfelt prayer--prayer which is prayer indeed--may be
short, silent, and offered in a strange place and at a strange time, and
yet be heard and answered by God.
Let us try to grasp the full comfort of this thought, for we live in a

world of surprises. We rise in the morning, not knowing what the day
may bring forth. We are walking on a road with many turnings, and we
never know what may meet us at the next step!
All of a sudden we find ourselves face to face with an unexpected
perplexity. What shall we do? What course shall we take? Here is the
little prayer made ready for our use--
Lord, guide me.
Then, at the next turn, comes a sudden temptation. Unjust, cruel words
are spoken, and we feel we must give an angry reply. Let us stop one
moment before we answer, and in that moment put up the short prayer--
Lord, help me.
Or a sudden danger, bodily or spiritual, stares