We read King Hezekiah’s story in chapters 18–20 of II Kings. His life included some good choices and some not-so-good; that unvarnished reality simply accentuates the Bible’s credibility, and reassures us of the truth of Scripture. It inspires hope for our own lives.
Hezekiah’s prayer is recorded in II Kings 19:14-19:
Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it.
Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and
spread it out before the LORD.And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “LORD, the God of Israel,
enthroned between the cherubim,
you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.
You have made heaven and earth.Give ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see;
listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.It is true, LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste
these nations and their lands.They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them,
for they were not gods but only wood and stone,
fashioned by human hands.Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand,
so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know
that you alone, LORD, are God.”
King Hezekiah receives a threatening message from Sennacherib, the King of Assyria. Up to that point, Hezekiah had made some poor choices, but on this day, he chooses to turn back to God. Clutching the frightening letter, he hurries to the temple and spreads it out before the Lord.
I love that visual. I love the example Hezekiah sets for us. We, too, can spread out the papers (or the piles) that threaten us before the Lord. Following Hezekiah’s lead, I have spread out before the Lord:
- To-do lists
- Piles on my counter
- Tax returns
- Writing projects
- Speaking outlines
Praying over practical challenges reminds us that our great God is not just the God of up there, but very much the God of down here, too.
What papers and piles need some divine direction in your life? Why not try spreading them out before the Lord, and praying over the challenge?
Hezekiah begins his prayer by praising God for who He is. He takes time to “tattle” on Assyria. He wraps up his prayer by clearly stating his request: deliver us from his hand.
And then comes a phrase I love to find in Scripture: so that. I love seeing a reason behind a command or a request. (Maybe it’s human nature for all of us … how many times have we mamas heard even a two-year-old ask, “Why?”)
Hezekiah doesn’t just ask for deliverance; he wants God to be glorified in the answer! He prays:
Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand,
so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know
that you alone, LORD, are God.
I like to call this “praying BIG!” When we pray that God will be glorified, and God will get the credit, we begin to anticipate answers that may be different than what we would want or expect. Even our suffering serves a purpose: by praying BIG—praying for God to be made much of—we find that chemotherapy, a dreaded family reunion, and a flat tire can all be opportunities for gospel conversations that bring glory to God.
For whatever challenge today brings, don’t just pray … pray BIG!
I’m praying for you today, my friend, asking God to use Hezekiah’s prayer to inspire you to:
- Spread your challenge out before the Lord.
- Pray BIG – pray that God will answer SO THAT He is glorified in the answer!
In Friday’s devotional video, Laura asked the question: Is God trustworthy? Watch now to hear the answer, as found in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk.
It’s not too late to join us for the remaining days of May, as we focus on PRAYER. Visit our Downloads page for your copy of this month’s Write the WORD bookmark and optional S.O.A.P. Bible study pages.
