Touching the Heart of God

Prayer is the most intimate communication we have with God. It allows us to draw closer to Him. …trust Him…and love Him. When we enter into our “prayer closet”, we desire to hear the “still small voice “ of the Lord. But do we ever consider that our prayers need to touch the heart of God for Him to move on our behalf?

Let’s examine the prayer of Hezekiah in Isaiah 38. King Hezekiah is sick unto death and the Lord sends Isaiah to tell him…”Put your house in order: because you are going to die: you will not recover.” (Isaiah 38:1 NIV)

Doctors speak these words to patients daily, and it places the person and the family in despair. How can this be? There must be another answer…a new treatment…a different medication…a better doctor.

Hezekiah in his moment of despair knew there was a physical and spiritual cure for his situation. So he immediately positioned himself for prayer, and focused on the grace and mercy of God. His act of faith demonstrates what we need to do when we receive distressing news. Even in the midst of tears, we must still pray to the Great Physician and appeal to His heart.

He reminds God of his faithfulness, his devotion, and how he lives his life before Him. Then he displays his human frailty and weeps bitterly. (Isaiah 38:3 NIV)

Contrary to what we may believe, in a time of spiritual crisis, reminding the Lord of how we are living according to His perfect will for our lives, is in order. “God remember when I stood alone for Your principles; when my family laughed at me, I still followed You; and when my church hurt me, I stayed and worshipped You. Now Lord, I need Your healing touch.”

And because Hezekiah “poured” out his heart before God, the Lord “moved” and answered his prayer. He instructed Isaiah to tell him…”The God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.” (Isaiah 38:5)

The experience of Hezekiah proves God’s heart is touched with the sincerity of our prayers, an obedient life, and our tears. And when he moves on our behalf, a shift occurs. Depression transitions to joy; illness changes to wellness; and a life without meaning is revived and transformed to purpose.

So even though King Hezekiah is physically dead, his life still “speaks.” It reminds us God honors our desire to live for Him, and our trust in Him, and says “Live a life before God that is holy, obedient, and righteous, so in our hour of need, our prayers will touch the heart of God.”