Powerful Prayer

“Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, ‘May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God the Lord, the God of his fathers even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.’ And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.” 

(2 Chronicles 30:19-20)

After calling the people of Judah back to a place of consecration through the removal of sin and the return to a covenant relationship through a renewal of heart, Hezekiah prayed this prayer on behalf of the nation.  This is a powerful prayer that gives us some extroadinary insight into the heart of a righteous leader and the character of a gracious God.

Hezekiah acknowledged the goodness of God!  Despite the gap between the sinfulness of the nation and the holiness of God, Hezekiah appeals to God's grace and seeks His favour on behalf of the people of Judah.

Hezekiah acknowledged the journey of his people.  His prayer was for those who had determined to seek after God, regardless of where they were along that journey, rather than for those who had reached a level of religious piety.

When the prayer of a righteous leader is aligned with the heart of a gracious God an environment for miracles is activated.  God longs to heal His people and restore them to a right relationship with their Creator.  Therefore, He responds to the prayer of faith that earnestly seeks after Him and dares to ask God to do what only He can do!