1 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3 “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.
4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: 5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’ ”
7 Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs.” They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered. 2 Kings 20:1-7
What an amazing story of How Prayer can change History! Firstly the prophecy was clear: “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Not the kind of news you want to hear from a Prophet! But Hezekiah knew the mercy of God, he didn’t whinge and complain to everyone, he didn’t give up and put up with the state of play, he turned his face to the wall and PRAYED to the LORD!!! Now this is a great pattern for prayer: “Remember O LORD how I have walked faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.” Pleading for justice like the persistent widow in Luke 18, and reminding God (even though The LORD already knows) of his faithfulness and devotion, doing what’s good in HIS eyes, not in everyone else’s eyes. Then he wept Bitterly…
Pastor Ben Gray recently shared openly at New Hope how he has wept over this city and this nation. Oh how we need men and women of God who can weep before the LORD! Not just to pray nice eloquent prayers of babbling like the pagans, bur heart wrenching, soul stirring, nation shaking prayers! We can Change History when we pray!!!
I have been listening to Lou Engle’s sermons on the History of “The Call” and I’ve had to pull my car over with conviction and awe for God as I hear him speak about praying for his nation.
Then History Changes… “Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: 5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’ ”
What could God do in this nation if His people rose up and prayed??? What could the church rise up to look like? How could schools be changes, government? The media? Elections? Salvations, healings, REVIVAL!!!
Then this last passage, I have included: “Then Isaiah said, “Prepare a poultice of figs.” They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered.”
The LORD answered his prayer and also gave a divine strategy that was very practical. Using something God made to bring about the miracle.
Oh Lord, what is your divine strategy? We want to call the nation to prayer and fasting Why? When? Where? Who? Lord I seek your face, I want to hear your voice, Speak Lord your servant is listening.
Amen.