Ever Interceding

Because You Prayed

BY DIANA BROWN

Prayer. That’s a deep, profound word. Prayer is something that comes naturally to some and not to others. Some embrace it, and some may be scared of it. Yet prayer is something we are commanded to do in Scripture.

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. (Luke 18:1 ESV)

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)

As believers, prayer is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal. Prayer, you have heard us say many times over, is the foundation of Women World Leaders—it is something we do NOT take lightly. In Women World Leaders, prayer is our life and heartbeat, propelling us in everything we do. Ephesians 3:20, our founding verse, reminds us that God is working exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think. This is the reason we take prayer so seriously. God has a plan, and we strive our very best to accomplish all that God has called us to; that begins by seeking Him in all aspects through prayer.

Read the passage from Isaiah 37:14-21 (ESV) where Hezekiah goes before the Lord to PRAY for Judah’s deliverance.

"Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord. Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me…”

This act of prayer was so powerful that God’s people did not have to lift a finger to save themselves. Isaiah 37:36 (ESV) explains:

"And the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies."

Can you imagine waking up to see not 1, 5, 25, 100, or even 1,000, but 185,000 soldiers who had been holding you captive dead? The prisoners, God’s people, did not have to lift a finger because the angel of the Lord took care of them. Even the king of Assyria was killed by his very own sons. Imagine how it would feel to see your enemy completely demolished while you didn’t lift a single hand in battle! Think about that! God answered the prayer of Hezekiah. One man’s prayer. WOW!

Because you have prayed to me. (Isaiah 37:12 ESV)

This remarkable deliverance took place because Hezekiah prayed. Prayer is something we are all called to and have access to daily, 24/7. God wants to be God in our life, and He wants us to call on Him. One of the reasons Hezekiah had been ever interceding was because he wanted God to be glorified and praised. It was ALL God in what God did! I don’t know about you, but that makes me excited—watching God be God on behalf of Hezekiah because Hezekiah prayed. It also makes me excited as I watch the ministry of Women World Leaders reach around the world and impact lives for the sake of the gospel message. All because we pray. AMAZING!

“So now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD.” (Isaiah 37:20 ESV)

The Bible says in Chronicles:

“Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed…..for the battle is not yours but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV)

Stand back. Be amazed. Be ever interceding. Watch God work in your life and in the lives of others because you have prayed to God!

God said to Habakkuk:

“Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.” (Habakkuk 1:5 ESV)

We are told in Jeremiah that God will answer us when we call.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)

Call unto our powerful God who is able to fight our battles and provide for us as He sees fit. Our prayers matter to God, and God will do mighty things because you have prayed. It is all in His timing and how He works. God is never early, BUT He is never late!

Father God, as I fight on my knees, interceding in and through prayer, help me to realize the battle belongs to you. Help me to trust and leave it all at your feet. You are a God who works on behalf of us. You are doing exceedingly and abundantly. Father God, we stand in awe of you. Father God, may we be quick to give you all glory and honor always. In the name of Jesus, AMEN

Grab your Bible. Read through Isaiah 37 slowly and prayerfully. Meditate as you read through the passage. Highlight or underline what speaks to your heart as you read.

How did God speak to you through Isaiah 37?

What battles are you facing right now that belong to the Lord? What battles do you need to give to the Lord?

Pray a prayer about fighting your battles through prayer:

Because you have prayed to me.

WATCH GOD WORK IN YOUR LIFE AND IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS BECAUSE YOU HAVE PRAYED TO GOD!