Devotion 22 September 2026
The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king… Nehemiah 2: 4, 5
READING: Nehemiah 2: 1-6
Nehemiah, a Jewish man, served as a cupbearer to the Persian king. Standing before the king, Nehemiah could not have had time for more than the briefest cry to God for help and guidance, before he answered the king’s question. But God enabled him to answer in a way that moved the king’s heart to understand and allow him to return and rebuild Jerusalem.
In the 10th century, the abbot Macarius, advised “There is no need to talk much in prayer. Reach out your hands often, and say, ‘Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy’". And, he added, when you are really struggling, simply say “Lord, help me”.
We read of Jesus that, when healing the deaf man, He first paused and looked up to heaven (Mark7:34), as He did before breaking the loaves for the hungry crowd (Luke 9: 16). So again, at Lazarus’s tomb we read that “Jesus looked up and spoke to his Father” (John 11: 41).
It would be good for us to learn to pray these ‘arrow’ prayers, not only in moments of special need, but continually, as we go about our daily business. If Jesus could take the time to pause and remember His Father’s presence at every demand that life made on him, would it not be good for us to make this our habit too? So that before we answer a phone call or write an email, before we rush into a meeting or dash off to meet a friend for coffee, there should be a moment of lifting up our hearts toward God, claiming His presence with us and His help. Such ‘arrow’ prayers can bring into each small detail of our lives the peace and the strength of God, so that the very rush of life can become a reason for prayer which bestows upon every hurrying moment the calm of the eternal world.
Prayer
My Father, today I lift my hands to You. May I reach out to You in every task and event of my daily life, every joy, every sorrow, every hour. You know me, have mercy on me. Your will be done. Lord, help me. Amen
