TEXTS AND APPLICATION: Do you believe that prayer makes a difference? Isaiah 37-39 are filled with evidence that prayer matters.
First, King Hezekiah sent messengers to ask Isaiah to pray for the nation when they heard the Assyrians were coming. Hezekiah grieved in distress and sought God through the prophet. God heard the prayers, and He sent word that the king of Assyria would die by the sword (Isa. 37:7).
Isa. 37:3-4 They said to him [Isaiah], “This is what Hezekiah says: ‘Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace, for children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them. . . . Therefore offer a prayer for the surviving remnant.’”
Second, Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, and God assured him that the Assyrians would not win.
Isa. 37:14-15, 21-22 Then Hezekiah prayed to the Lord . . . . Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “The Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word the Lord has spoken against him . . . ‘“
Third, Hezekiah prayed when he became ill (even to the point of near death), and God gave him additional life.
Isa. 38:2-4 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. . . . Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I am going to add 15 years to your life.”
Here’s what we learn from these texts: prayer to the true God really does make a difference. Hezekiah prayed about the enemy, and God spoke a word against the Assyrian king because Hezekiah had prayed. The Lord gave Hezekiah 15 more years because the king prayed. God heard his prayers — He is SO different from the false gods who had ears but could not hear.
PRAYER: The God to whom Isaiah and Hezekiah prayed is the same God to whom we pray. He is the eternal Creator, the only true God. He hears. He responds. He works miracles. How can we not speak to Him? Pray today, and then pray some more. It matters.
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 40-43