THE BASICS OF PRAYER #2

                                    BLOG #70            Hezekiah’s Petition             8/28/2020

 

The prophet Isaiah said to King Hezekiah, “Put your house in order, because you are going to die, you will not recover” (II Kings 20:1, NIV).  Hezekiah was a young man who had an illness that was terminal. In Hebrew thought an early death was the reward of the wicked and a long life was the reward for the righteous (see Proverbs 10:27).

 

Hezekiah prayed earnestly unto the Lord. “Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes. And Hezekiah wept bitterly” (II Kings 20:3, NIV). The Lord heard Hezekiah’s prayer. The word of the Lord came to Isaiah, “Go back and tell Hezekiah …I will add fifteen years to your life” (II Kings 20:5-6, NIV). Hezekiah’s petition or request was granted.

 

Prayer is a powerful active force. That is especially true if the people praying have a right relationship with the Lord.

 

Life is a gift from God (see Genesis 2:7 & Romans 6:23). On this earth there is no promise of life tomorrow. At any moment eternity can invade time. A wise man once said, “You only have the promise of the present.” Life here on earth is really a preparation for eternity!