THIN SPACE
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2 Kings 20:1-11
This story of Hezekiah is such a great story that we can actually find it in 3 places in the bible, in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles and in Isaiah. Hezekiah was one of the few Kings of Judah and we read that he was a good King. The Bible describes him as a king who had a close relationship with God, one who did “what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God”. Some would describe him as the rose between two thorns as his father King Ahaz was a wicked man and then his son King Manasseh was the most evil King.
This week we are looking at answered prayer. Prayer is such a baffling subject especially when praying for the impossible. Why does God sometimes answer prayers and other times not? Does prayer even work? These questions are very common and currently with those grieving in our community it is a hard one to wrap your head around.
Hezekiah was about to die and he decided to pray the impossible. He reminded God how he had been devoted to him and been faithful. God answered his prayer in a profound way. Not only did he give him 15 extra years of life, he took the threat of Assyria away and brought peace to the land. The course of history was changed through one prayer. Hezekiah asked for a sign from God that he would be healed. God made the shadow of the sundial move backwards. By having the shadow of the sundial move backward, it gave more time in a day – just as God gave Hezekiah more time. I wonder if god literally moved the universe back in time? Merely a sign of a promise. God has the power to answer any prayer you could possibly ask.
When we pray, we have the authority to pray in the name of Jesus, not in the name of who we are or what we have done. We may not understand prayer, but be encouraged that God does answer prayers. Today, why don’t you pray your bravest prayer?