The Power of a Praying Heart
"When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes." - 2 Kings 4:32-35
In the narrative of 2 Kings 4:32-35, we witness a profound moment in the ministry of the prophet Elisha. The story begins with the tragic death of the Shunammite woman's child, a boy who had come to symbolize the miracle of God’s provision in her life. The Shunammite's faith had led to the birth of this child, but now, encountering the bitter reality of death, she is faced with what seems to be an insurmountable loss.
As Elisha entered the house and found the child lying dead on the bed, several emotions can be imagined swirling in that moment: disbelief, sorrow, and maybe even desperation. However, the actions that followed reveal the heart of Elisha and the power of prayer. He immediately shut the door behind him and the boy’s mother, creating an intimate space devoid of distractions. In doing so, he demonstrated the importance of focused prayer. This moment emphasizes that sometimes, in our most desperate times, we must retreat into the presence of God, removing external noise and seeking divine intervention.
Elisha’s prayer was a powerful plea for resurrection. In verse 33, we’re told, "And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm." This act was much more than a physical gesture; it represented an intimate connection and empathy. Elisha identified with the child’s situation so closely that he literally brought his body next to the boy. This can be seen not just as a physical act, but as a way of expressing solidarity and invoking the life-giving presence of God.
Elisha's stretching out upon the child symbolizes God's willingness to engage deeply with our suffering. In our darkest hours, we might feel isolated or abandoned, yet God calls us to remember that He is deeply invested in our struggles. This scene parallels the deep love God has for the brokenness we face in life. Elisha's actions remind us that we are not alone—God Himself stretches out towards us, yearning to breathe life into our circumstances.
The flesh of the child began to warm—a sign of life restoring in the child. This was not just a physical healing; it was also a spiritual awakening. Verse 35 states, "Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes." The child sneezing seven times signifies a complete and perfect restoration. In biblical terms, sneezing can be symbolic of the expulsion of death and the beginning of life anew; thus, it speaks to the fullness of God’s power to revive.
Furthermore, the act of opening his eyes parallels a new awakening not only to life but to God’s providence and miracles. Through this narrative, we see that God can resurrect dreams, restore relationships, and bring life to situations that seem dead. The miracle of the Shunammite woman's child serves as a powerful reminder that God is in the business of not just hearing our prayers but also acting upon them.
As we reflect on this passage, let us take away the importance of intimate prayer, the power of intercession, and the life-giving presence of God in our circumstances. We may all face moments akin to the Shunammite woman’s loss, where hope seems extinguished. But by embracing a heart that prays fervently and believes sincerely, we may witness God breathe new life into our dreams, relationships, and even our spirits. In Christ, there is always hope for resurrection, renewal, and the profound reality that in our moments of deepest despair, God is just a prayer away.
Want to reflect more on 2 Kings 4:32-35?
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2 Kings 4:32-35 Artwork
2 Kings 4:32-35 - "When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes."
"When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes." - 2 Kings 4:32-35
2 Kings 4:32 - "And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed."
"And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed." - 2 Kings 4:32
2 Kings 4:35 - "Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes."
2 Chronicles 32:4 - "So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?"
1 Kings 4:32 - "And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five."
2 Chronicles 32:32 - "Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel."
2 Chronicles 35:27 - "And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah."
Numbers 32:35 - "And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,"
"And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five." - 1 Kings 4:32
2 Kings 9:35 - "And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands."
2 Kings 10:35 - "And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead."
Exodus 35:32 - "And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,"
1 Kings 2:35 - "And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar."
2 Kings 4:4-5
2 Kings 15:32 - "¶ In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign."
2 Kings 23:32 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done."
2 Kings 10:32 - "¶ In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;"
Exodus 32:35 - "And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made."
"And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah," - Numbers 32:35
"And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah," - Numbers 32:35
2 Kings 18:35 - "Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand?"
2 Kings 15:35 - "¶ Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD."
"Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes." - 2 Kings 4:35
2 Kings 17:32 - "So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places."
2 Kings 9:32 - "And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs."
2 Chronicles 35:4 - "And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son."
2 Kings 19:35 - "¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses."
2 Kings 17:35 - "With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:"