BIBLE MODELS OF PREVAILING PRAYER

“Now therefore, O Lord our God, I PRAY, save us from his hand...” – 2 Kings 19:19a

Prominent among the BIBLE MODELS of PREVAILING PRAYER is King Hezekiah’s: “Now therefore, O Lord our God, I PRAY, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone” (2 Kgs.19:19). Prevailing Prayer is prayer that has influence with God and commands heaven’s attention. We’ve invested this month’s devotionals on the theme, Prevailing in Prayer by the Word. Prevailing Prayer thrives and flourishes by God’s Promises. Faith, obedience, sincerity of heart, earnestness, fervency, humility, praises, and persistence are key prerequisites. ‘Prevailers’ P-U-S-H into God’s Promises: They Pray Until Something Happens!

All prayers in the Bible are powerful on their own. God doesn’t assess the length of our pleas or how perfectly our prayers are constructed. He doesn’t look at a person’s status in society but at the status of their hearts. The Bible is timeless and its words are our guide to life. We can turn to the Prayers therein for encouragement. Scripture contains prayers for diverse needs and purposes: Repentance, Consecration, Strength, Provision, Protection, Thanksgiving and adoration. Few Bible Models of Prevailing Prayer include:

Hezekiah's Petitions for Deliverance and Healing (2 Kgs. 19:14-19; 20:1-7).

King Hezekiah was a notable king of Judah with great faith in God (2Kgs.18: 1-6). Yet, this godly king was about to see his nation conquered by the mighty Assyrian army. His immediate action after receiving a letter of battle that ridiculed his faith in God was to seek God in hopeful prayer. He went up to the temple and spread it out before the Lord (2 Kgs.19: 14-19). He didn’t complain or wallow in self-pity, but simply laid the issues in God’s sight. In troubling times, we must seek God first! Next, Hezekiah acknowledged God’s identity as the King and recognised His power as the Maker of heaven and earth (vv.15-16). In doing these, his faith and courage began rising! Likewise, when we pray and make declarations, our faith is fortified, our courage strengthened!

Moreover, when we seek for deliverance, let’s remember it is for God’s Glory! Hezekiah ended off his prayer on this note: “...O Lord our God, I PRAY, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone” (v.19). His request was not rooted in self-interest but God’s. When we face trials, the best pleas are those for God’s honour. That’s why the Lord’s prayer begins with “Hallowed be Your name” and ends with “For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen” (Mt.6: 9-13). 2 Kings 20 narrates how Hezekiah’s petition for healing after he heard from Isaiah that he should prepare to die soon overturned death. He “turned his face toward the wall, and PRAYED to the LORD” (2 Kgs.20:2). Our first response must always be to PRAY!

Solomon’s Prayer for Guidance (1 Kings 3:5-10).

Prayers for wisdom and guidance are common in the Bible because everyone needs them. Solomon began his prayer by acknowledging the past blessings that God had given to his father, David. Remembering and recounting how much God has done for us in the past is apt, especially in petition prayers. It expresses our appreciation and gratitude to God. Solomon humbled himself before God as a “little chid” (v.7). Then he asked for a discerning heart of understanding, not mere knowledge (v.9). Solomon could have asked for anything when God appeared to him, yet he asked for what would benefit his people. He asked for what he needed, not wanted. When we start to chase after the Lord’s Heart, His desires become ours; so does His wisdom and guidance. We should learn to ask God for what we need, not want!

Nehemiah's Prayer for Success (Nehemiah 1:1-2:9). Nehemiah heard of the suffering of the returned exiles. After grieving in fasting, he prayed for success, committed himself to God's Will, and prospered marvelously.

Paul's Prayers for Spiritual Wisdom and Revelation of Christ (Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21). Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians and Believers of all generations, to understand the full dimensions of Christ's love.