PRAYER CHANGES THINGS---2 Kings 20:1-6
 

Covering the Read Text: 

·         In those days was Hezekiah sick--As his reign lasted twenty-nine years (2 Kings 18:2), and his kingdom was invaded in the fourteenth (2Ki 18:13), It is evident that this sudden and severe illness must have occurred in the very year of the Syrian invasion.

·         Set thine house in order--Isaiah, being of the blood royal, might have access to the king's private house. But since the prophet was commissioned to make this announcement, the message referred to matters of higher importance than the settlement of the king's domestic and private affairs. It related chiefly to the state of his kingdom, he having not as yet any son (compare 2 Kings 20:6|).

·         For thou shall die, and not live--The disease was of a malignant character and would be mortal in its effects, unless the healing power of God should miraculously interpose.

In today’s modern world sometimes it is hard for us to realize the power of prayer. Man has accomplished so much that often we look for solutions to life’s problems, in the natural world, before even seeking God.

I.          HEZEKIAH WALKED BEFORE GOD

What does it mean to walk before God? If we hope to have a prayer life that truly makes a difference we need to understand what it means to walk before God.

·         Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

·         Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called”

·         Ephesians 5:2, “ And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.

·         1 John 2:6, “ He who abides in Him ought himself to walk as He walked “ 

II.        HEZEKIAH SERVED GOD WITH HIS WHOLE HEART

Let’s look at what it means to serve God with our whole heart.

1.      It means to serve Him with love,

Deuteronomy 6:5, “ And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. “

2.      It mean to serve Him in obedience,

Psalms 119:34, “ Give me understanding and I shall keep your law: indeed I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

3.      It means to serve Him with trust,

Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

4.      Jesus sums this concept up

Matthew 22:37, “ Jesus said unto him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind.” What He is saying is, we must sell out 100%!

III.       HEZEKIAH PRAYED FOR GOD TO INTERVENE

If you really want God to act on our behalf, if you are really tired of sin, if you really need help, then you need to ask God!

1-Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

2-John 14:14, “ If you ask anything in my name I will do it. “

3-John 15:7, “ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

CONCLUSION:

If you want to experience a Prayer life that changes things, then come forward tonight in obedience and ask God for a closer walk!

Let us chose tonight to draw closer to God and experience the Power of God in our lives!