I would like to talk with you about prayer.
I do so, by introducing you to a King of Israel you may not be familiar with…King Hezekiah. (The kids in Sunday School learned about him this past year!)
Hezekiah was the 13th King of Judah during the time of the divided kingdom.
After the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon the kingdom divided between North and South, Galilee and Judah.
The Biblical book of Kings considers Hezekiah to be “a righteous king.” He was known as being a “man of extraordinary qualities and piety. Hezekiah was of all things a man of prayer.”
Hezekiah teaches us: Get alone with God, spread your problems out before him “honestly, humbly, and boldly;” then, allow “his will to be done,” as you “faithfully wait” for his response.
Almost everyone believes that prayer should not become a rite or a ritual, but rather… we should “fall in love with prayer” and make it “more than” a habit. Being a person of prayer, should be a way of life…Prayer should change us, silence us, and be the pursuit of continual communications with our God. Prayer should be almost second nature to us…
We are to pursue God, wrestle/ struggle with God daily not just in times of trouble, but as “a continual part of our journey.” We are to walk silently with him. Let your mind speak. Let your heart pound. And know that God is with you. Speak to him from within…and from without.
King Hezekiah followed his father, King Ahaz to the throne. The reign of the elder Ahaz was not good. The nation was further weakened and the people turned their backs on God.
They turned toward Idolatry. They worshiped many gods. The kingdom was becoming more and more corrupt. It was every man for himself.
Hezekiah attempted to reverse that process. He attempted to have the nation, the kingdom return to God. His attempt was to “redirect” the nation…the people of God.
Hezekiah also heeded and listened to the voice of the prophet Isaiah.
He believed that God sends “special people” to us, “divine messengers” if you will…”angels”…to lead, guide and direct us. Isaiah was one such messenger. Hezekiah heeded the word of the Lord.
When the Assyrians came a knocking ready to destroy his kingdom and plunder it…The King tore his robes…
Without delay he turned to his God.
As fast as he could, he went to the Temple in Jerusalem. There he prayed and prayed…and prayed.
The Bible actually records his prayer: “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 (the King of the Assyrians”) has sent to ridicule the living God.”
It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste – to 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.”
God blesses Hezekiah, his kingdom was saved. Hezekiah waited on the Lord.
He was thankfully blessed in his answer.
Hezekiah teaches us that prayer is all about “the relationship.” The relationship between you and your God.
Your prayers are to be immediate, open and honest, humble and respectful. Remember who is dependent upon whom. Pray with confidence…
Know that there is a difference between our “wants” and our “needs” and “the plan of God.”
God is not a “vending machine.” Prayer is not putting coins in a vending machine. It is not putting our prayer in the right slot, pushing the right button, and waiting for the vending machine God to “spit out exactly what we want.”
Ephesians says, “Pray at all times.”
Romans says, “Be constant in prayer.”
Colossians says, “Be steadfast in prayer.” Thessalonians says, “Pray constantly!” Luke 18 says, “Pray always and do not lose heart.”
And as our Gospel text for today says, Be persistent in prayer.
I would just pray – that prayer would be “forever a source of strength for you,” throughout your entire life.
Amen.