1. When God answers prayers…
Nehemiah 2:1-8

2. Main idea: Wait while God waits, and work while God works.

3. When God answers prayers…
He decides His own Time

4. Jewish Calendar Waiting Period (4-5 months) English Civil Equivalent
Nissan
March-April
Iyar
April-May
Sivan
May-June
Tammuz
June-July Av
July-August
Elul
August-September
Tishri
September-October
Cheshvan
October-November
Kislev
November-December
Tevet
December-January
Shevat
January-February
Adar
February-March
Waiting Period
(4-5 months)

5. During the waiting period…
He sees the genuineness of the burden
He tries and strengthens the faith
He forms Christ in us
Rom 8:29 ‘For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…’

6. When God answers prayers…
He decides His own Time
He demonstrates His own Power

7. Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

8. v.2c “…Then I was very much afraid”
Wrath of a Persian King
Work of a Cup bearer

9. When God answers prayers…
He decides His own Time
He demonstrates His own Power
He directs the Weak Hearted

10. When God answers prayers…
He decides His own Time
He demonstrates His own Power
He directs the Weak Hearted
He desires a Committed Response