How often do we find ourselves in situations where we react and say a quick little prayer?

It happens. A simple “God, please help me here.” Or “Lord, have mercy on me.” Those prayers are frequent and good.

In fact, in my recent reading and preaching through the book of Nehemiah, I was so encouraged to see Nehemiah do this very thing.

In Nehemiah 2:4 the king asks Nehemiah a question. King Artaxerxes upon seeing that Nehemiah is sad asks him “What are you requesting?” What the Bible says next is just so awesome.

Nehemiah 2:4b and 2:5a say “So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king …” Did you catch that?

While sad, discouraged, yet faithful Nehemiah was in a conversation with the King, he prayed to God. In the middle of talking to someone else, he talked to God. Nehemiah prayed just a quick little prayer. An arrow-like prayer dart to God.

In essence, this was a brief but powerful glance of faith toward the throne of heaven.

This isn’t all that “pray without ceasing” means (1 Thess. 5:17), but it definitely has to be some of it. Nehemiah was so trusting in God that while talking to someone else he thought to pray to God. How inspiring!

Now we know better than to think that this is the only way Nehemiah prayed. Nehemiah 1 tells of him praying for days that eventually turned into months of prayer.

But this quick little prayer does strengthen all believers to turn to God anywhere at anytime. It shows that prayer can be a natural reaction; a first response; a reflex.

Just as Jesus said in John 15 “apart from me you can do nothing,” may our quick little prayers display that we are dependent on Him.