A Prayer Pattern

Isaiah 37:14

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

I have always been a big proponent of finding a pattern that has been successful and following it. Hezekiah’s prayer that he prayed was a successful prayer. When Sennacherib came to invade the land, Hezekiah went to God in prayer to ask for deliverance from the impending danger. The pattern that he prayed his prayer, if followed, will produce answered prayers in your own life. Let me share the six things he did in his prayer that produced an answered prayer.

First, he did not try to come up with his own solution to the problem. This is one of the most important parts of praying. Too many people try to come up with their own solution first, only to make matters worse. You cannot come up with your own solution when the solution is too big for you to figure out. Instead of making your situation worse, you need to surrender to the fact that you don't have the answers to your situation.

Second, he prayed immediately. Once he realized he did not have a solution, he chose the right course of action, which was to pray. The first response to every problem that you face ought to be to pray. It does not matter how big or small your problem is, always take your problems to God in prayer. Prayer is always the right solution to any problem, no matter how big or small.

Third, he spread his request before God. Hezekiah prepared his prayer as if it were a lawyer about ready to present his case to a judge. I believe it is wise for you to have a prepared prayer to bring to God, as if you were about to present your prayer to a judge, so that you can win your case. Never be afraid to spread out your problems before God in a written format so that you can present the case clearly to God.

Fourth, he acknowledged God and His power. Hezekiah did not talk about how great he was, but he acknowledged how great God was and the power that He had to answer prayer. I believe it is a good model to follow in acknowledging the greatness of God and what He has done in the past, not so that He knows who He is, but so that you are reminded you are serving an omnipotent God who can answer any problem that you face.

Fifth, he asked God to hear his petition of prayer. I know this sounds strange, but you ought to ask God to hear your petition. God has already promised to hear it, but Hezekiah was successful in his prayer by asking God to hear his petition. If Hezekiah was successful in getting God to hear his petition, then you would be wise to specifically ask God to hear the request you are giving to Him.

Sixth, he asked God for a specific answer. Here is the key to answered prayer! If you want God to answer your prayers, then your prayers must be specific. Don't be general in your prayer life, but be very specific with your requests. General prayers have no purpose in being answered because they are general. Be very specific with what you have a need of, and you will find that God will answer that specific need.

My friend, prayers are an essential part of every person's life. If you follow this pattern, I believe you will find that God will answer your request as He has promised.