When the powerful king of Assyria threatened Jerusalem to surrender and fear him over the God of Israel, Hezekiah the king of Judah went to the temple and prayed.

In response, God Almighty said, “I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria” (2 Kings 19:20), and proceeded to wipe out a hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians and promised His protection over the city of Jerusalem.

Later, when Hezekiah fell ill, prophet Isaiah showed up to announce his eventual death— as spoken by the LORD.

Weeping bitterly, Hezekiah prayed, “‘Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes’” (2 Kings 20:3).

As Isaiah was walking away, God instructed him to turn around (!) and tell Hezekiah, “‘I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you’” (2 Kings 20:5).

Hezekiah lived another 15 years afterwards.

Hallelujah that we have ourselves a Father who hears our prayers.

All our praises, thanksgivings, and adorations, and even the prayers of worries, grief, fears, and doubts.

How beautiful is it that He also wants us to pray? What does He have to gain in this equation but our sanctification and edification?

As evidently shown throughout the Bible and in all of our lives, it seems like all God’s ever wanted is to simply be with us.

Just for us to walk in His loving presence.

Like Jesus did, His beloved Son.

One step at a time.

One prayer at a time.

Not worrying about the past nor the future.

Free from the concerns of this world.

Step by step until we arrive home.

Home— back in His arms, where we belong.

My Encouragement for You

When we pray, we aren’t merely praying to a distant divine figure.

On the other side of the prayer is God, King of the universe— eagerly waiting to hear from His beloved children.

Interceding on behalf of us is Jesus the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who sacrificed himself on the cross to set us free from our bondages.

Speaking through us is Holy Spirit of the Lord Almighty, our greatest advocate.

My beloved, may our hearts be open to see what privilege we have to be able to pray to the One who sits enthroned on high.

May our hearts burn to pray the many words of our spirits and dwell in His presence.

With love,
Jae

“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelation 2:3-5)

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