My title for this devotion is Prayer of despair vs Prayer of desperation.

In my Scripture reading this morning in 2 Kings, I came to an interesting event. Hezekiah (H) became the king of Judah in chapter 18 and it says, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” [v.3]  It goes on to say he removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. He even went so far as to break the bronze serpent that Moses made because, it too, had become and idol. It goes on to say, “He trusted in the Lord so there was no one like him.” WOW! What a tribute.

But that did not leave him immune to siege by an enemy king and in chapter 19 that is what happens. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, lays siege to Jerusalem AND defies God in the process. H receives a letter from him demanding surrender and tribute. I like his response! He went before God, laid open the letter before Him, and petitioned for God’s help and answer. His was a prayer of desperation not a prayer of despair. (The prayer is found in 19:14-19). There is a big difference between “O God, it’s helpless. I give up” vs “O God, this situation is helpless. I need your help.” God intervened. An angel of the Lord wiped out 185,000 Assyrians.

It is easy to give up or to feel like giving in to despair. But it is in those moments of despair that a prayer of desperation should be raised to the One in control. He will answer. We may be unsure how, but He will. In H’s case, an angel of the Lord was sent to deal with the situation. Perhaps God will do the same…or something different. Who knows? But a prayer of desperation will be answered.

“Father, help me not to despair. Instead, help me to raise prayers of desperation to you. Help me to ‘lay out my letter’ before you, seeking your help. And then step back to watch you work.”