Power of Prayer: Trusting God in Crisis
Summary
### 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. Turn to God in Crisis: Hezekiah's story teaches us the importance of turning to God in times of crisis. Initially, Hezekiah tried to solve his problems through his own means, but he soon realized the need to seek God's intervention. When faced with overwhelming threats, he laid the letter from Sennacherib before the Lord and prayed earnestly. This act of laying our concerns before God is a powerful reminder that we should always turn to Him in our times of need. [15:10]
2. Trust in God's Sovereignty: Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is in control, even when situations seem dire. Hezekiah's prayer was met with a divine response, assuring him that God would protect Jerusalem. This teaches us that while we should trust in God's plan, we should not let that trust silence our prayers. Instead, we should actively seek God's intervention, knowing that He is capable of doing the impossible. [43:23]
3. Watch Prayer Have a Real Impact: Hezekiah's prayer had a tangible impact, as God sent an angel to strike down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. This demonstrates the power of sincere, faith-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. [50:49]
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. [01:14:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - 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
[01:02:42] - Trusting God's Sovereignty
[01:09:26] - Releasing Control and Submitting to God
[01:14:22] - Cultivating Gratitude
[01:18:41] - The Impact of Prayer
[01:24:25] - Celebrating God's Work
[01:25:11] - Invitation to Prayer
[01:28:43] - Closing Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- 2 Kings 19:14-19
- Isaiah 37:14-20
- Philippians 4:6-7
### 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])
Devotional
Day 1: Turning to God in Crisis
When faced with overwhelming challenges, it is natural to try to solve problems through our own means. However, Hezekiah's story in 2 Kings 19 teaches us the importance of turning to God in times of crisis. Initially, Hezekiah attempted to appease the Assyrians with silver and gold, but he soon realized the need to seek God's intervention. He laid the threatening letter from Sennacherib before the Lord and prayed earnestly for deliverance. This act of laying our concerns before God is a powerful reminder that we should always turn to Him in our times of need. By doing so, we acknowledge our dependence on God and invite His power into our situations. [15:10]
2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV): "O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
Reflection: Think of a current crisis or challenge you are facing. Have you tried to solve it on your own? How can you lay this concern before God today and seek His intervention?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is in control, even when situations seem dire. Hezekiah's prayer was met with a divine response, assuring him that God would protect Jerusalem. This teaches us that while we should trust in God's plan, we should not let that trust silence our prayers. Instead, we should actively seek God's intervention, knowing that He is capable of doing the impossible. 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. [43:23]
Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you actively seek His guidance and release control to Him today?
Day 3: Watching Prayer Have a Real Impact
Hezekiah's prayer had a tangible impact, as God sent an angel to strike down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. This demonstrates the power of sincere, faith-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. By cultivating a habit of prayer, we open ourselves to experiencing God's intervention and celebrating the moments when He answers our prayers. [46:12]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed the impact of prayer in your life or someone else's. How can you cultivate a habit of sincere, faith-filled prayer today?
Day 4: Releasing Control and Submitting 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. By releasing control and submitting to God's plans, we demonstrate our faith in His wisdom and goodness. [50:49]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 5: Cultivating 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. By cultivating a habit of gratitude, we align our hearts with God's purposes and find joy in His presence. [01:14:22]
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: How can you practice gratitude today, even in the midst of challenges? What are three specific things you can thank God for right now?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We want to love God. We want to love people. And in that pursuit, we want to look more like Jesus. And so, again, thank you for gathering and being here." [13:41] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Prayer is a cornerstone of our faith. Prayer is such an awesome direct line to the Almighty God that is available to all believers. And in this story, there are three responses that give us key lessons to the topic of prayer." [47:59] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We serve a God who's in control, and we serve a God who navigates the path. And we need to remember to turn to Him in these moments of crisis. So instead of succumbing to fear, what Hezekiah does is he turns to God in prayer." [56:50] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Let us commit to being a prayerful people, trusting in God's power and sovereignty to act on our behalf. What stories are you going to tell in the days ahead? Because you prayed." [01:24:25] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We know that we're just agents of prayer. We just know that we are communicators of the message. We know that we are ambassadors of the truth. But ultimately, we pray for you to draw this young man to yourself." [17:38] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We have to be careful that in our dependency or trusting in God's sovereignty, we can't allow it to silence our prayers. Because sometimes we just say, it is what it is. I'm not going to pray that the airplane takes off on Thursday morning, connects right in Denver, and then they get to their place on time." [01:05:41] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Prayer is not about improving ourself or our situation. Prayer is about moving the hand of God and coming before him with adoration and worship. It is a heart that pours out to him." [01:08:20] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So as Christians, we come before the Lord and we cultivate a habit of gratitude that says, God, I know you are in charge. I know you are sovereign. And though we're going through this crisis, or though we're battling through this heartache, or though I am so confused and fearful and insecure in this moment, I know that you are going to orchestrate this for my betterment, because you are always only good." [01:14:22] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So don't go at this thinking, pray or no pray, it's going to happen. No. You pray with great seriousness your letter before the Lord and you say, God, I'm trusting you to act on my behalf." [01:07:28] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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