Slices
Prepare
Today, we are looking at the way Hezekiah prayed. Take a moment to write down some of the things on your heart ready to pray for them after reading.
Bible passage
Jerusalem’s deliverance foretold
19 When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the Lord. 2 He sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. 3 They told him, ‘This is what Hezekiah says: this day is a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace, as when children come to the moment of birth and there is no strength to deliver them. 4 It may be that the Lord your God will hear all the words of the field commander, whom his master, the king of Assyria, has sent to ridicule the living God, and that he will rebuke him for the words the Lord your God has heard. Therefore pray for the remnant that still survives.’
5 When King Hezekiah’s officials came to Isaiah, 6 Isaiah said to them, ‘Tell your master, “This is what the Lord says: do not be afraid of what you have heard – those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7 Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.”’
8 When the field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.
9 Now Sennacherib received a report that Tirhakah, the king of Cush, was marching out to fight against him. So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah with this word: 10 ‘Say to Hezekiah king of Judah: do not let the god you depend on deceive you when he says, “Jerusalem will not be given into the hands of the king of Assyria.” 11 Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered? 12 Did the gods of the nations that were destroyed by my predecessors deliver them – the gods of Gozan, Harran, Rezeph and the people of Eden who were in Tel Assar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath or the king of Arpad? Where are the kings of Lair, Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah?’
Hezekiah’s prayer
14 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. 15 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. 16 Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.
17 ‘It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. 18 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. 19 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.’
Explore
When we run into difficulties, it is easy to get caught up in focusing on the problem in front of us and lose our wider perspective. Look closely at how Hezekiah prays about this threat to his nation.
First, he literally showed God the letter he had received. It’s not because he thought God didn’t know, but it helped him to be clear and focused in his prayers. We too can be specific in telling God our problems.
Yet before he began to ask God anything, Hezekiah focused his own mind on who God is – his great power, his position and his authority. It can help us to pray with confidence when we have a clear picture of God’s character.
Hezekiah also homed in on what was really at stake here. Yes, his people were in danger, but more importantly, God himself was being mocked and blasphemed. Hezekiah wanted deliverance for the sake of God’s glory, not his own wellbeing. How might it transform your prayers if you considered why you want God to do what you’re asking? What is really at stake in the need you see?
Respond
Try praying like Hezekiah now. Glorify God by identifying some of his attributes, present to him the list of needs you made earlier and include a ‘so that’ (eg ‘Please heal my friend, so that their family will know you have power’).
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs 11,12; Colossians 3
Pray for Scripture Union
In just a few short weeks, children will be going back to school. For some, this brings fear and anxiety. Pray for children as they mentally prepare to return – especially those starting new schools. Pray that they’ll discover Jesus and the hope he brings through those running Christian clubs and assemblies.
Because a strong start begins with smart preparation
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Secondary school is coming whether children feel ready or not. Let’s make sure they step forward grounded in faith, guided by hope and prepared with practical wisdom.
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