In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. He prayed to the LORD, and he answered him and gave him a sign.

Have you ever considered that sometimes, when we are weak and failing in faith, that we pray improperly? For the wrong things? Hezekiah, despite his great faith, did so in a time of suffering. What can we learn about prayer from his failure?

Background

This prayer is a summary of the parallel story in 2 Kings 20.1-11, and it seems clear that the writer of Chronicles assumes his readers have read that passage, because he leaves many details out.

There, Hezekiah had become very sick, and the prophet Isaiah tells him he should prepare to die. Hezekiah pleads with God, and his prayer seems a bit pouty and self-centered—certainly not in line with his faithful actions in the past. But God answers his prayer—perhaps because of his past faithfulness—and gives him fifteen more years. Even then, he wanted more proof that he would be okay. And then even another proof!

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