The King Says Yes!

Nehemiah had been praying for a long, long time—four whole months! He wanted to help fix Jerusalem's walls, but he needed the king's permission first.

One day, Nehemiah was doing his job—bringing wine to the king. But he looked very sad.

The king noticed! 'Nehemiah, why do you look so sad? Are you sick?'

Nehemiah's heart started beating fast! You weren't supposed to look sad around the king. He could get in BIG trouble!

But Nehemiah was brave. 'I'm sad because the city where my family is from has broken walls. Everything is a mess!'

'What do you want?' the king asked.

Nehemiah prayed a quick, silent prayer: 'God, HELP ME!' Then he said, 'If it's okay with you, could you please send me to rebuild that city?'

'How long will you be gone?' the king asked.

Nehemiah told him. The king agreed!

Then Nehemiah asked for even MORE: 'Could I have letters to help me travel safely? And could I get wood from your forest to rebuild the walls and gates?'

The king said YES to everything! God was helping Nehemiah!

Nehemiah traveled to Jerusalem with the king's letters and lots of wood. He was SO excited!

But some mean men named Sanballat and Tobiah heard about it. They did NOT want the walls to be rebuilt. They wanted to cause trouble.

But Nehemiah wasn't worried. God had already done so much! He knew God would help him finish the job.

Nehemiah prayed for months before asking. Then when it was time, he was brave! And God made the king say yes to everything. God can do amazing things when we pray and trust Him!