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Hezekiah Got His Life Extended by Prayer

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"Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city. Isaiah 38:5-6[NIV]

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In the land of Judah, there was a king named Hezekiah who served God well.

This king did his best to live according to God’s word.

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King Hezekiah decided to cast away all the idols which God disliked so he ordered and said,“Hey, break and cast away all the idols in our country.”

By the order of Hezekiah, all the idols existing in the country were destroyed.

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King Hezekiah was a man with great faith. There was a time when the country called Assyria intimidated and menaced the city of Hezekiah and surrounded the city. They brought five thousand armies and distressed Hezekiah by telling him to surrender.

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They even sent a letter to Hezekiah that insulted God.

Hezekiah ran to the temple of God with that letter.

Hezekiah opened the letter before God and prayed to God for help.

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Isaiah sent a person to Hezekiah to tell the words of God. “I heard your prayer.

I won’t just endure with them who insulted Me.

And I will fill you with better things.”

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That night God responded to his prayer, God sent angels and defeated the army of Assyria. God defeated one hundred eighty-five thousand armies.

The next morning, outside of the Assyrian camp was all filled with corpses.

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Another hard trouble happened to Hezekiah.

He got a deadly disease.

It was a disease which couldn’t be cured by the doctors at that time.

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The Prophet Isaiah told Hezekiah, “This disease can’t be cured by the power of man. Therefore, you will die by this disease.

So now, God is telling you to get your household affairs in order.”

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Upon hearing this saying, Hezekiah knew that only God could cure that disease. With his whole heart Hezekiah prayed to God to get his disease cured. “Oh, God, please remember that I have always obeyed you with a sincere and pure heart and remember that I have always done things that were right before your eyes.”

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God appeared to Isaiah before he reached the gate. Isaiah was returning after telling Hezekiah that he would no longer live. God told Isaiah, “Return to Hezekiah and tell him that the God of your ancestor David heard your prayer and has seen your tears. I will cure Hezekiah and after 3 days he will go up to the temple.”

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Isaiah went to Hezekiah. And told as God had told to him, “God has heard your prayer.

You will go up to the temple after 3 days because God has extended your life for 15 more years.”

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The Prophet Isaiah put some fig dough on the ill part of Hezekiah.

In so doing, miraculously that part was cured. Hezekiah was so happy.

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By another sign, God showed that He will keep what He has said to Hezekiah. God showed it by making the shadow of the sun move 10 degrees backwards. He moved the whole earth and showed that it would be done as it was said to Hezekiah.

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Like what God had said, Hezekiah went up to the temple after 3 days.

And lived for 15 more years and stayed as the king of Judah.

God responded to the prayer of Hezekiah.

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Our earnest prayer has the power to move the heart of God. Even at the hard situation of Assyria attacking, Hezekiah was able to solve the problem by praying to God. And when he got a deadly disease; Hezekiah prayed to God. He got his disease cured and stayed as a king for 15 more years.

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So, my dear friends of faith, you should make it a habit to say strong prayers which can move the heart of God in any difficult situation. God who heard the prayer of Hezekiah is the God who also listens to our prayers. I hope you will be friends of great faith who can solve any problem in every situation.