Power of Prayer: Trusting God in Crisis

### Summary

Good morning, Parkway family. Today, we gathered to worship and lift our voices to God, the audience of one. We also took time to focus on our missionary partners, John and Jenny Rainer, who are planting churches in Brazil. We prayed for Brother Owls, who is preaching in their absence, for the salvation of a young man named Gil Herms, and for their daughter Jillian's upcoming wedding. We also prayed for our mission team heading to Salt Lake City to join Plant Camp, where they will learn about church planting and engage in community outreach.

Our main focus today was on the power of prayer, as illustrated in 2 Kings 19. We examined the story of King Hezekiah, who faced a dire threat from the Assyrian king Sennacherib. Initially, Hezekiah tried to appease the Assyrians with silver and gold, but when that failed, he turned to God in earnest prayer. Hezekiah laid the threatening letter from Sennacherib before the Lord in the temple and prayed for deliverance. God responded through the prophet Isaiah, assuring Hezekiah that Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem. That night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness.

We drew three key lessons from Hezekiah's story: always turn to God in crisis, trust in God's sovereignty, and watch prayer have a real impact. Hezekiah's initial reaction was one of fear and self-reliance, but he soon realized the need to turn to God. His prayer was met with divine intervention, showcasing the power of sincere, faith-filled prayer. We were reminded that while trusting in God's sovereignty, we should not let it silence our prayers. Instead, we should actively lay our concerns before God, trusting Him to act on our behalf.

As we go through our own crises, let us remember to turn to God, trust in His sovereignty, and watch for the real impact of our prayers. May we be a prayerful people, committed to seeking God's intervention in our lives and celebrating the moments when He answers our prayers.

###

Key Takeaways

• 1. filled prayer. When we pray earnestly, we invite God to act on our behalf, and we can witness His mighty works in our lives. Let us be encouraged to pray with faith, knowing that our prayers can move the hand of God. [46:12]
  4. Release Control and Submit to God's Plans: Often, we try to control our situations and solve problems through our own means. Hezekiah initially tried to appease the Assyrians with silver and gold, but he soon realized the need to submit to God's plans. Trusting in God's sovereignty involves releasing control and allowing Him to guide our paths. This means being willing to adjust our plans according to His leading and trusting that His plans are always for our good.
  
  5. Cultivate a Habit of Gratitude: Recognizing God's hand in every situation helps us cultivate a habit of gratitude. Whether we face blessings or challenges, we can trust that God is working all things for our good. This perspective allows us to thank Him in all circumstances, knowing that He is always only good. Let us be a people who continually express gratitude to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and goodness in our lives.
  
  ### [46:12]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [13:41] - Missionary Update and Prayer Focus
• [15:10] - Praying for Specific Needs
• [19:03] - Prayer for Upcoming Wedding
• [20:20] - Mission Team to Salt Lake City
• [25:27] - Love Offering and Announcements
• [37:20] - Introduction to 2 Kings 19
• [43:23] - Hezekiah's Prayer for Deliverance
• [46:12] - God's Response to Hezekiah's Prayer
• [49:26] - Lessons on Prayer from Hezekiah
• [56:50] - Laying Our Concerns Before the Lord
• [62:42] - Trusting God's Sovereignty
• [69:26] - Releasing Control and Submitting to God
• [74:22] - Cultivating Gratitude
• [78:41] - The Impact of Prayer
• [84:25] - Celebrating God's Work
• [85:11] - Invitation to Prayer
• [88:43] - Closing Announcements

Observation Questions

1. What was King Hezekiah's initial reaction to the Assyrian threat, and how did his approach change? ([50:49])
2. How did God respond to Hezekiah's prayer according to 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37? ([46:12])
3. What specific actions did Hezekiah take when he received the threatening letter from Sennacherib? ([44:49])
4. What does Philippians 4:6-7 instruct believers to do instead of being anxious?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why is it significant that Hezekiah laid the letter before the Lord in the temple? What does this act symbolize? ([56:50])
2. How does trusting in God's sovereignty influence the way we pray, according to the sermon? ([01:05:41])
3. What does the phrase "because you prayed" in Isaiah 37:21 suggest about the power of prayer? ([46:12])
4. How can Philippians 4:6-7 help us understand the relationship between prayer and peace?

Application Questions

1. Reflect on a recent crisis you faced. Did you initially try to solve it on your own like Hezekiah, or did you turn to God in prayer? How might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? ([50:49])
2. In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you actively submit your plans to God this week? ([01:10:40])
3. Think of a specific concern or worry you have right now. How can you "lay your letter before the Lord" and invite Him to intervene? ([56:50])
4. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude in your daily life, especially during challenging times? ([01:14:22])
5. Identify a situation where you need to release control and trust God. What practical steps can you take to let go and allow God to guide you? ([01:15:34])
6. How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine? Consider setting specific times or creating a dedicated space for prayer. ([01:01:05])
7. Share a "God moment" from your life where you saw the impact of prayer. How can remembering these moments encourage you to pray more earnestly in the future? ([01:24:25])