“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”. James 5:16

Have you ever wondered how healing power from God is derived? Could it be from good deeds done?  Can our good conduct ensure that our prayers are always answered?

In 2 Kings 20:1-6, we read:

“In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 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 for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”

Why did God heal Hezekiah? Could it have been purely because he was a “good” person? I imagine that despite his good works, Hezekiah was sinful, since all men are sinful. As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one” Romans 3:10.

What Hezekiah had that differentiated him from many, is faith in the Lord. In everything, he turned to the Lord first, in full trust that the Lord would hear him.

Hezekiah had prayed in a similar way when His Kingdom was threatened by the Assyrian King whose Commander had sneered, “Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord when he says, ‘The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ 2 Kings 18:30. But the Lord proved trustworthy and gave Hezekiah victory after his fervent prayer. “Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.”

The Lord healed Hezekiah because of his faith and for His own Glory, to fulfill all that He had promised. “..for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.” 2 King 20:6

As Jesus said, “…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20.

Could you be failing to approach the Lord because of the weight of your sin? Do not let the devil’s lies sway you. Even Rahab the prostitute was saved because of her faith (Hebrews 11:31). “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool”. Isaiah 1:18

Faith affords us the righteousness of Christ, and in Him we can ask for anything. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”. James 5:16

Which cares and fears will you in faith direct to the Lord today?

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”Fear knocked on the door, faith opened.  And lo, nobody was there”. Author unknown.

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