Title: Hezekiah Prayed
Memorize: Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying 2 Kings 20:2 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Isaiah 38:1-5 (Nkjv)
[1] In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ ”
[2] Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord,
[3] and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
[4] And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying,
[5] “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.
Message:
King Hezekiah was a man who feared God and upheld His instructions.
However, he fell ill and almost died. Prophet Isaiah came to prophesy his death, but King Hezekiah did not resign himself to fate.
Rather, he wept bitterly before the Lord and pleaded his cause. He reminded God of his good deeds and obedience to His laws over the years.
This heartfelt prayer got him an additional 15 years in life.
I wish you would not give up in the face of challenges, even when it seems that you will not make it.
I have been in many hopeless situations, yet I would feel the urge to go on my prayer walks and pray harder.
At such moments, I would hide myself in a bush, where no human could see me, crying and screaming to God in prayers.
My dear child, like King Hezekiah, you must not accept any negative verdict over your life.
One of my sons would say, “You must pray until something happens.” God is a merciful God, and He will prove His might in your life when you keep asking until your joy is full.
Key Point:
Remind God about His words when you pray.
HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER! SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER!
1 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Bible In One Year: Nehemiah 7:73-9:21 1 Corinthians 9:1-18
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye