Please Help Me Pray...

Daily Reading: 2 Kings 19

Isaiah said to them, "Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard...'" (2 Kings 19.6-7)

Devotional Thought: Recently I overheard a conversation between my wife and a friend who was facing an uncertain situation in court.  She felt so overwhelmed that she could not even pray.  Lana told her, “That’s OK.  You let me pray for you.  You let others pray for you.  God will hear our prayers for you.” 

That is good advice.  I have been helped by the prayers of others when I could not pray myself, haven't you?

King Hezekiah had it happen.  He sent a prayer request to the prophet Isaiah: “This day is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth. It may be that the Lord your God heard ... and will rebuke the words that the Lord your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer."

Hezekiah was upset.  He was discouraged.  He had not listened to his own advice when he had told the people not to pay any attention to Rabshakeh.  Having entertained Rabshakeh’s ‘argument,’  the king concluded that things were pretty much hopeless.  But he hadn’t given up entirely, had he?  He made the weak statement: It may be that God will…

Remember, even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains!  So do not hesitate to pray, even with small faith.  “Lord I believe!  Help my unbelief!”  Thankfully Isaiah had a greater faith.  He had spent time with God, listening to him, and he had the answer Hezekiah and all the people of Jerusalem needed: Don't be afraid!  God's got this!

Even when the king’s prayers were weak – he could hardly pray at all – there were others who were praying with great faith.  And God answered! 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that even when I can't pray, you have given me brothers and sisters who can.  You yourself are praying for me!  Help my faith to grow that I may be one who, like Isaiah, prays with great faith.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 18.25-30

25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;

26 with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.

27 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

28 For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.

29 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

30 This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.