Praying Your Own Prayers (Part 1)

TEXT:

‘Hezekiah took the letter from the envoy and read it. He went to The Temple of God and spread it out before God. And Hezekiah prayed—oh, how he prayed! God, God of Israel, seated in majesty on the cherubim-throne. You are the one and only God, sovereign over all kingdoms on earth, Maker of heaven, maker of earth’ (2 Kings 19:14-15 MSG)

THOUGHT:

The biblical account about King Hezekiah gives an interesting perspective on how his prayer life developed. It’s easy to neglect prayer when the going is easy, but when trouble comes we can be left wondering what to do.

After his coronation, the first thing Hezekiah did was to re-open God’s house and clear out all the rubbish.¹ He was a godly king who had a heart for God. Jesus taught, ‘Seek first the kingdom of God’ (Matthew 6:33) and that’s exactly what Hezekiah did. As a result, blessing abounded and divine healings lifted the nation’s spirit.² The kingdom of Judah enjoyed a time of prosperity, spiritually and economically as Hezekiah did what was good, right and true before the Lord his God.

But trouble is never far away, even during the best of times. The Assyrian army, which had overrun Israel, was looking to add Jerusalem to their list of conquests. There are four things I want to highlight about Hezekiah’s prayer life and his reactions to these threats.

• When trouble comes do not rely solely on your own efforts to get out of trouble

The first time the Assyrian army conquered the cities surrounding Jerusalem, Hezekiah negotiated temporary peace by paying a huge ransom of silver and gold.³ That bought a little breathing space but the enemy soon returned for more.

When we rely on our own efforts, we will never be strong enough. The arm of flesh always fails. Wrong habits will continue to demand feeding, suppressed fear will rise up again and because we are now the poorer, we can actually end up in a far worse state.

Back came the Assyrian army to threaten the city once again and Hezekiah had nothing left with which to pay another ransom!

A much better way is to do what the Psalmist said, ‘Some nations boast of armies and of weaponry, but our boast is in the Lord our God’ (Psalm 20:7 TLB).

• When you do not know what to do, turn to someone who is in touch with God

Hezekiah could have done that the first time and hung on to his wealth. When he learnt of this new threat, he sent his officials to Isaiah, asking him to pray and call on God.⁴

One of the disappointing factors about this pandemic has been the lack of strong Christian leadership from the major denominations, calling the nation to prayer. Reciting set prayers, even the Lord’s Prayer and lighting candles are not enough.

The government has been doing everything it can and it’s costing the nation dearly as billions and billions of pounds are being spent. The danger is if something else arises at a later date, there will be no real wealth left to fight it with.

When we do not know what to do, there will be somebody who does. God does not condemn us asking for help. In fact He encourages it, ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know’ (Jeremiah 33:3).

The answer Isaiah received from God was amazing, because when the enemy had insulted God’s people, it was the same as if they had insulted God Himself. God promised the Assyrian army would have to return home. They faced more pressing matters as other nations tried to take advantage while they were surrounding Jerusalem. God also declared the Assyrian king would be assassinated in his own country.⁵ Both these predictions were exactly fulfilled.

It is easy to feel all alone when trouble arises and you are not sure what to do. I remember when I was pioneering the church in Wadebridge. Money was tight and the car engine died and needed repairing. I did not have the £150 the garage was asking for, or even £20 spare money.

In desperation I phoned Pastor Stan Hyde who had conducted the crusade that launched the church. He was my first pastor. As I told him of my need he said, “Last night we took up an offering in the church for you. It amounted to £150.” I could not believe it! Before I had told him of my problem, God had provided a solution.

God promises, ‘I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!’ (Isaiah 65:24 NLT).

Even when we are asleep, or tossing and turning on the bed because of worry, the One who cares for us does not slumber or sleep.⁶ He will prepare someone to be of help in our time of need. Listen carefully and you will not miss God’s way of escape.

In Part 2 we will see how Hezekiah started praying his own prayers as his faith in God grew.

Endnotes:

¹ 2 Chronicles 29:3-11             ² 2 Chronicles 30:20                ³ 2 Kings 18:13-16

⁴ 2 Kings 19:1-4                       ⁵ 2 Kings 19:6-9                       ⁶ Psalm 121:3-4