How We Begin Matters
It is always a good thing, but then there are moments when it is the only thing that you can do when facing problems that seem to be the size of the highest mountain or deepest ocean. It is the thing that Hezekiah did when he received the hand-delivered letter from King Sennacherib, which outlined the threats of horrific tragedy that would come to Jerusalem if Hezekiah did not surrender to the Assyrians’ demands. Hezekiah spread the letter and the problems before the Lord, and he prayed.
If you are a believer in God, and therefore in prayer, then you have likely started your prayers a lot of different ways over the duration of your faith walk. Here are some opening lines you have likely heard or used:
Dear Heavenly Father…
Father…
Almighty God…
Of course, you might have been raised in a faith culture that prays, “Hey, God.” Many of us probably aren’t feeling that relaxed in approaching the Almighty. We do find the phrase, Abba Father, used once by Jesus and twice by Paul, and in those contexts the term implies an intimate and parental connection but probably not as chummy as some who suggest we address God as “Daddy.” I am confident, though, that God welcomes all his children to come to him in prayer and probably isn’t keeping a list of all the ways we call out to him and giving us demerits if we don’t use an introduction that is preferred by the Almighty.
But in the case of Hezekiah, it is noteworthy that his opening words went like this:
“O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see…”
Hezekiah acknowledged the power, the greatness, and the holiness of God and that God has no competition. He alone is the God of all the kingdoms of the earth. Hezekiah’s opening isn’t that difference from the model prayer that Jesus gave his disciples: “Our father, who is in heaven, hallowed (or holy) is your name. Your Kingdom come…” When we come to God in prayer, we aren’t looking for a buddy who can help us but rather the King of kings and Almighty God who can save us.
Hezekiah then made clear the threats and disrespect of God that Sennacherib had given. And Hezekiah reminded God, though I am sure God was already aware, that Sennacherib had not only mocked God but had also laid waste other nations and lands.
The petition from Hezekiah was clear: “Now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord.” Hezekiah prayed that God would intervene and save them so that all the earth would know that God alone is the Lord!
As I have already stated, I don’t think the Almighty is keeping an Excel spreadsheet and logging the quality of our prayers and word choice, but I do think when we pray not just that God rescue us but that he would be glorified in and through his answer, then we have arrived at the intersection where our humility aligns with God’s will and his purposes in the world and in us.
Father, as we read this powerful passage in Isaiah and marvel at your faithfulness to Hezekiah’s humility and dependence on you, we confess that in our desperation we sometimes simply focus on our needs and not on your glory. Thank you for the gift of prayer and for the reminder of your majesty and your authority over all things. As we bring our needs to you today, we pray that you would be glorified in us and through the way that you answer our prayers. We pray that your kingdom come and your will be done in us as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, and for his glory, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Isaiah 37:14-20, 30-38 ESV
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