Desperate Prayers #3“Why We Pray”2 Kings 19: 14-19
Intro:Why do you pray?
76% of people in America claim that prayer is an important part of daily life. (stable for 25 years) Over half, every day.
I know you pray. Why?
t/s – Not what do we pray for (purpose);
Why, what moves us or motivates us to pray?
I know a great story about prayer that casts some light on that question. Can I share it with you this morning? I am convinced you all need to know this story about Hezekiah.
Setting:Good King Hezekiah “clung to the Lord”
He is the best of Judah. An assertive reformer from
Age 25… 29 years! (high praise)
- Israel falls; but Judah thrives. No Tribute to Assyria. Just the way it ought to be!
Tension:Assyrians move south and besiege Jerusalem!
14th year of Hezekiah… Good King is Vulnerable.
Assyrians are an overwhelming Army, 185,000
Search:Will Hezekiah and Jerusalem be spared?
- Payment of tribute (TempleGold)
- Political Alliances
- Promises of Prophet Isaiah
The Pressure of Assyrian Army unrelenting!!
Rab (great)shakeh comes to talk trash!
“You haven’t got a prayer!”
ResolutionKing Hezekiah goes to the Temple and Prays.
- Isaiah sends word, “I have heard you!”
I will put My hook in your nose, and My bridle in
your lips, and I will turn you back by the way which you came. (19:28)
Setting:An angel of the LORD struck the camp of the Assyrians
Sennacherib went back home to Nineveh.
Hezekiah was victorious without ever lifting his sword!
He Prayed.
T/S – I would like to know what he prayed!!
2 Kings 19: 14-19
This is a clear model of true prayer. We should all be familiar. This morning I want to focus on how Hezekiah helps us understand what moves us to pray; why we pray… (Why, maybe, we don’t)
Desperation. We pray because we are Desperate.
Exp–We have spoken much about this the past two weeks. With
the Hebrew children in Egypt and David under guilt…Cry Out.
Desperation squeezes the prayer out of us.
a)Honest about the threat (17-18) – Army of Animals!
Devastation and Destruction…
b)Clear Cry for Help… “Save Us!” (vs. 19)
A powerful intervention on our behalf
ILL – Hezekiah turned to Temple twice.
First, for gold as he tried to solve the problem himself.
Finally, desperate, he went to the temple to Pray!
(Imagine the Temple stripped bare…disarray)
App – We pray because we are Desperate. We are confronted by
situations we cannot control; needs we cannot meet; problems we cannot solve.Sick; Broke; Bound; Broken…
Desperation moves us to prayer. (Humble = Desperation)
But, desperation alone will not keep us in prayer.
“beating on heaven’s door with bruised knuckles in the dark.”
George Buttrick
t/s – In Hezekiah’s prayer, we find more than Desperation…
Conviction. We Pray based on Core Convictions about God.
Exp – A key word in this narrative is Trust or Confidence..
The Rabshakeh mocks the confidence/Trust of Hezekiah
- You cannot Trust your army, your ally, Your God!
- He is not on your side; not able; nothing special!
YHWH is just one among many regional, national gods. You created him, now he is failing you. Give Up! You haven’t got a prayer!
Rabshekah knew the people would give up, surrender; if they lost hope and abandoned their core convictions about LORD
Hezekiah articulates His core Theological Conviction: (15, 19)
a)The God Here --- is Everywhere.
b)The God revealed to Us --- Rules over Everyone
c)We did not create God --- He created Everything
d)YHWH will not be Mocked by anyone, even the king of the World’s only Superpower!
You are Alive; Active; Almighty; & Zealous for Your Glory!
Ill – Imagine that I asked you to wait here until I return…
When you finally go home… lost confidence in ME!
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait,
and in His word do I hope. Psalm 130:5
App – We pray as long as we have confidence, conviction about God.
Confusing situations, disorienting emotions; firm Convictions
He Is Alive; Active; Almighty… Who Will Be Exalted!
Concl.: How do you know? How can you be So Sure?
The Death and Resurrection of Jesus
If this is True; He is Alive; Active; Almighty… Who will be Exalted.
Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess…
If it is Not True… We haven’t Got a Prayer!