“The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.”
(2 Chronicles 6:10)
Christ’s earthly ministry was characterized by His practice of rising early to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35) and withdrawing into the wilderness alone to pray (Luke 5:16). By both His example and His instruction in Matthew 6:9-13, He showed that prayer is essential to the Christian life. James 5:13 summarizes its universal scope: “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.” For prayer is the divinely appointed medicine for every grief, the comfort for every trial, and the strength for every weakness.[1]
David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, left us an entire treasury of prayers for all occasions. When distressed in soul (Psalm 18:6), when slandered (Psalm 109:1-2), and when facing the fear of death (Psalm 88:3-6,13). Whether in weakness, poverty, attack, or old age, David turned to prayer. His life demonstrates that no situation is excluded from the reach of prayer.
In times of public calamity, Jehoshaphat prayed and reminded God of His covenant promise (2 Chronicles 20:9). Hannah prayed through the anguish of barrenness (1 Samuel 1:10). Ezekiel prayed in grief (Ezekiel 11:13). Hezekiah prayed in sickness (2 Kings 20:2). Asaph prayed from the depths of prison (Psalm 79:11). Scripture teaches that prayer belongs everywhere—in the home, in the hospital, in the fields, in the shadows of fear, or before the bar of judgment.
Even when the conscience trembles at God’s judgments, we can pray, “My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments” (Psalm 119:120). Jeremiah prayed, “O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life” (Lamentations 3:58). The saints of old learned that prayer is the soul’s breath, for without it, faith cannot survive.
So let us cling to the promise of Psalm 50:15, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me,” and find that prayer brings both blessing and returns praise to the Giver of every good gift.
Contemplations:
- Prayer in Sickness. When faced with a sickness unto death, King Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed and God heard and answered him (2 Kings 20:2). David also cried out to the Lord in his weakness, “Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed” (Psalm 6:2). These examples inspire me to pray to God earnestly in my own times of physical illness and weakness, trusting that God will make me whole again.
- Seeking God’s Strength in Temptation. When temptations overwhelm me, I find strength in prayer, as Christ Himself encouraged us in Matthew 26:41, “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation.” Knowing that prayer is my refuge in the face of temptation, I will seek God’s strength and grace to overcome the challenges that tend to draw me away from Him.
- Finding Comfort in Public Calamities. In times of public calamities like war and famine, I am encouraged to pray earnestly as Jehoshaphat did, “If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help,” (2 Chronicles 20:9). In such times of fear and concern, I will turn my eyes to God, trusting that He will hear my cry and provide the help and protection I need.
- Overcoming Fear of Death Through Prayer. When facing the fear of death, I find assurance in prayer, just as David did, “My soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave… but unto thee have I cried, O Lord” (Psalm 88:3,13). In such times as these I know God hears me and will be my comfort and strength in my time of need.
Prayer (Supplication):
O Lord, God of David and Father of mercies, I bow before You to seek Your help in every season of life. You have promised to hear the cries of Your people, and I come now in faith, asking that You would make me steadfast in prayer, watchful in spirit, and thankful in heart.
Grant me grace to pray in the days of affliction, when sorrow burdens me and my strength fails. As You heard Hezekiah upon his sickbed, so hear me when my body is weak and my spirit groans. As You heard Hannah in her anguish, so attend to me when my soul is bitter and heavy.
Keep me from fainting in times of temptation. Strengthen me to keep watch, as Christ commanded, that I may not fall into sin through carelessness or pride. Let prayer be the shield that guards me, the refuge that sustains me, and the weapon that drives the enemy away.
When calamities strike, whether war, famine, pestilence, or public distress, turn my heart to You in humble dependence. As Jehoshaphat stood before Your presence and confessed his weakness, let me also confess that without You I can do nothing. Stretch out Your hand to deliver, to protect, and to guide, that I may glorify You in the day of trouble.
And when death draws near, let my prayers rise as incense before Your throne. Take away the terror of the grave and grant me peace in the face of judgment, knowing that Christ has redeemed me with His blood. Make me ready to meet You with joy, clothed in the righteousness of my Savior.
Lord, teach me to pray in every condition of life, and let me never cease to call upon Your name. For in prayer I find Your presence, in prayer I taste Your mercy, and in prayer I glorify Your faithfulness. Let me be constant in this holy duty until the day I see You face to face.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for 2 Chronicles 6:10:
1 Kings 2:12; 2 Chronicles 1:1; 2 Chronicles 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:8
[1] Joseph Hall, The Balm of Gilead, Or, Comforts for the Distressed, (London: Thomas Newcomb, and are to be sold by John Holden .., 1650), 386.
