Nehemiah 2:1-8

1. Read Nehemiah 2:1-8. Verse 8 says that "the good hand of God" was upon Nehemiah. It is an interesting phrase. What do you think it means? Do you ever struggle to believe that the good hand of God is upon you?
2. Does anyone have a story about a time when they prayed for something and God granted the request?
3. According to Nehemiah, why does the king grant what he requests (Nehemiah 2:8)? What might this indicate about how God interacts with people, places, and events in this world?
4. We see in Nehemiah's story how God orchestrates what happens. He also orchestrates how things come about. God longed for His people to return to Jerusalem. He put this desire in Nehemiah's heart. Nehemiah prayed for it to happen, and God directed the heart of the king to bring it about. What about you? Whether it is something seemingly impossible or something seemingly simple, do you ever sense God putting specific desires in your heart that you might go to Him in prayer for? If so, what are they?
5. Like Nehemiah, there is no time like the present to pray. Spend some together in prayer to God for whatever good desires He has placed in your hearts. Ask that He might get glory and that God's people would flourish through those desires.