Ver. 4.-EjaculatoriJ prayer. "So I prayed to the God of heaven." Nehemiah saddened by the report he had received of the condition of the Jews who ha<l returned to their land, had formed a purpose to visit them, that he might encourage them, and take the lead in fortifying the city, and putting affairs into a more hopeful condition. His doing so depended on the consent of the monarch whose cupbearer he was, and his obtaining a commission from him. Already he had prayed for success in his intended application, and now that the desired opportunity presented itself be felt the importance of the moment, and in the king's presence sent up mentally another prayer. We have here- I. PRAYER BY A GREAT AND WEALTHY MAN. Such have many temptations to neglect prayer; temptations to pride and self-dependence, to worldliness and self- indulgence, tending to the loss of all sense of their need of God and spiritual good ; to entire absorption in the cares of their position ; to false shame before their equals, &c. ; yet they need prayer as much as the poorest, and in some respects more. They equally need Divine mercy as sinners, and Divine help and guidance; and they have special responsibilities, temptations, and power for good or evil_, and so need special grace. In undertaking such a work as Nehemiah proposed to himself, the greatest may well feel their need of Divine aid. It is pleasing to contemplate such men when they are men given to prayer. Many instances in the Bible: Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Daniel, Cornelius. II. PRAYER AT AN UNUSUAL PLACE AND TIME. Not in temple or synagogue or secret chamber; but in the presence of a king and queen, and while engaged in ministering to them. Learn that no place is unsuitable, no time unseasonable, for prayer; for God is everywhere, and his ear always open. III. S!LEN'r PRAYER. Was perhaps an exercise of mind and heart, unknown to the king. Prayer is not confined to audible utterance. This is desirable where practicable, even in private worship ; for utterance aids thought and feeling ; and it is indispensable to common prayer. One must speak that all may unite. A silent me·eting, as amongst the Friends, may be a true prayer-meeting to individuals, but hardly a meeting for united prayer. But in Nehemiah's circumstances audible words would have been unsuitable : and always the worth and efficacy of prayer spring not from the words, but the principles and feelings they represent. It is ever what passes in the mind and heart which makes prayer to be prayer. As much as there is of desire, directed to God in faith, so much is there of prayer. " Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed, The motion of a hidden fire, That trembles in the breast." Much of the truest prayer cannot be spoken. "Groanings which cannot be uttered." IV. A SHORT PnAYER, Length is in some measure, and under some circwnstances, an element of true prayer. He who satisfies himself, in his regular seasons of worship, with a sentence or two, is guilty of irreverence, and shows that he has no delight in communion with God. But on such an occasion as that in the text, only brief prayer is possible or needful. And how much may be expressed or implied in a few words ; how much love, or trust, or longing I In like manner much weaning may be in a short prayer. Instances: the Lord's prayer; the publican's; that of the thief on the cross. V. AN EJACULATORY PRAYER. A short, fervent prayer "darted" upwards on a sudden occasion, when special need of God's help was unexpectedly felt. The habit of thus praying is much to be desired. 1. Occasions for such prayers are as numer- ous as the varying exigencies of life, especially the sudden and unanticipated, and when longer prayer is impossible. (1) On receiving some great, unexpected bless- ing, or becoming suddenly conscious of preservation from imminent peril. To cry, '' J:lless the Lord I " in the hearing of others may often be inexpedient; but in the heart 14 THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. [OH. IL 1-8,
is always suitable. (2) When involved in unexpected perplexity. "Lord guide me." The "cry" of Moses at the Red Sea, referred to in Exod. xiv. 15, may have been a 1!1e1,1tal ejaculation. (3) When suddenly e:iq,osed to obvious danger. Bodily, as the d1sc1ples ma storm: " Lord, save us ; we pensh." Peter sinking: "Lord save me.',', Or moral and spiritual : sudde~ assa~1lts of ~erce temptation. "Lord,' help me. (4) :W-hen suddenly _betrayed mto sm. Wait. not for the hour of prayer before seekmg pardon, but lift up your heart at once m a "Lord have mercy upon me." (5) When any spe?ial demands o~ 9hristia_n principle are u'nexpectedly made, a~d the c~msequent spec1~! need for D1vme a~s1stance 1~ fel!, (6) In connection w1~~ ~n.r important ~nd_ d1~cult duty. _11_1 business, fam1l;i7 life, Christian activity, (Y1s1tmg the poor, ~hstnbutmg alms, se1zrng an opportunity for giving religious counsel). On entenng church; before sermon (short prayer for the preacher and yourself); on lea-ring church, &c. (7) Under all varieties of feeling. When the heart is touched and tender towards God (gratitude, admiration, penitence love desire) or towards men ( affection, solicitude, &c.-Gen. xliii. 29). When plea~ure i~ felt at the sight of happiness or goodness, or pain at sight of misery or ·sin. (In walking through the streets; prayer for those you feel you cannot help or eave.) 2 The value of such prayers. (1) As evidencing and cultivating the devout spirit. Those who ba"t"e the spirit of prayer can hardly be content with stated times, or fail to look to God in unexpected necessities, or praise him at once for unexpected bless- ings. And thus the spirit of prayer is cherished and maintained. ls one way of fulfiiling the command, "Pray without ceasing." (2) As maintaining habitual con- verse with God. We should esteem it a calamity if be were to restrict our approaches to him to certain hours ; let us not limit ourselves in a similar manner. (3) As aid- ing to sanctify the whole life. By blending worship and devout sentiment with every part of it. (4) As securing constant Divine assistance. Nehemiah's prayer was heard ; so will ours be.