OT Prayer for the NT

2 Kings 19:19

¹⁹Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech You, save us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know and understand that You, O Lord, are God alone.  (AMP)

// THOUGHTS:

.. Hezekiah's prayer is almost the same as every other Old Testament figure prayer - "so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God." (NIV)

.. "The prayer of the righteous avails much..."  (James 5:16b)

.. Hezekiah was known to be a righteous person - 2 Kings 18:5-9

.. He ruled Judah with great fear of God and obediently submissive to God's commands (2 Kings 18:25);  he only advanced to what God calls and commands him to do.

.. When he shares this prayer we know that God answered it through the prophet Isaiah (2 Kings 19:20-35); God went beyond and detailed out His blessing on the prayer Hezekiah offered to God.

_Principles from this passage:

.. The prayer of the righteous always centers on exposing the power and the name of God.

.. The prayer of the righteous is God-glorifying; not self-imposing.

.. The prayer that God answers is one that centers in what He's already planned to do - His will.

.. One can pray in the center of God's will if we are walking in the center of God's will.

_How did Hezekiah do that?

.. Trusted the Lord (18:5)

.. Held fast to the Lord (v. 6a)

.. Did not cease to follow God (v. 6b)

_Results:

.. There was no other king like Hezekiah (before or after him)

.. The Lord was with him

.. Hezekiah was successful in WHATEVER he undertook

.. He defeated enemies

// BELLE:

.. My prayers must always be centered on glorifying the Lord and making Him known.

.. I will continue to hold fast, trust, and follow God - my refuge, my salvation, my Lord!

.. I will do what He commands me to do daily and be submissive to His call in my life.

.. I will be faithful!

// LORD, You Word is so awesome.  I pray that in all I do today, Your name will be lifted high; You will be seen; and people will see Your glory for what I do in Your Kingdom.  Let there not be a hint of me that people see but rather, they will glorify Your my Father in heaven.  Help me to be faithful so people may see that You are the great God - enabling those who are weak and giving power to those who are powerless.  Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice. In You, I know I am secure!  In Jesus' name and by the power of the Holy Spirit, amen.