A Prayer for Strength and Faith in Times of Trial
"¶ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field." - 2 Kings 18:17
Heavenly Father,
I come before You today reverently, acknowledging Your majesty and sovereignty over all the earth. I turn my heart to the words found in 2 Kings 18:17—the moment when the king of Assyria sent his mighty captains to threaten King Hezekiah and the city of Jerusalem. As I reflect on this passage, I am reminded of the trepidation that often accompanies challenges, the overwhelming fear that can grip our hearts when faced with seemingly insurmountable trials.
Lord, just as Tartan, Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh came with a great host against Hezekiah, there are moments in my life when it feels as if the enemy, in many forms, looms large over me. I lift up my worries, fears, and anxieties unto You, for I know that You are my refuge and strength. In the face of adversity, help me to remember who You are—The Almighty, El Shaddai, and the One who is forever faithful. The enemy may come to intimidate and instill fear, but in You, O Lord, I find my courage, for You are my stronghold.
The Assyrian leaders came bearing threats and pride, boasting of their might and power. I pray, Father, that when I encounter voices that belittle my struggles or attempt to lead me astray with doubt, I may have the wisdom to discern their words. Guide me, O Lord, to respond with faith rather than fear, understanding that I do not stand alone. Teach me to cling to the truth of Your Word, which reassures me that battles without can only be fought with confidence when I rest in Your assurance within.
As these leaders approached Jerusalem and beheld the city’s walls, may it remind me of the walls You have built around my own heart to protect me from despair. Lord, fortify my spirit, allowing me to stand firm despite the challenges? I pray for that divine strength, akin to the fortress that Jerusalem represents—a place that trusts firmly in You, knowing that our hope does not rest in human might but in the hands of the Almighty.
Help me to hear your encouragement amid the clamor of doubt. When Rabshakeh delivered his speech, taunting and belittling those who sought refuge in You, may I not be dismayed. Let my ears be tuned not to the lies of the enemy but to Your still, small voice that whispers truths of love, grace, and power. Raise a standard against the forces that seek to undermine my faith, just as You did for Hezekiah and those who cried out to You in their distress.
Father, in times of prayer and supplication, remind me of the power that comes from unified prayer—a power that can turn the tide against overwhelming forces. I unconditionally surrender my fears and challenges into Your hands. Help me to stand resolutely in faith, like King Hezekiah, who despite the threats, turned to You for guidance. May I find a similar resolve amidst my trials, knowing that as I invoke Your name, Heaven moves in my favor.
Lord, I thank You for the promise encapsulated in this account—the reminder that even in the face of significant opposition, Your faithfulness prevails. I pray for assurance and clarity that You walk with me through every valley and mountain I may encounter. As I conclude this prayer, Lord, let it be a declaration of faith, a commitment to trust You in all circumstances.
In the powerful name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.
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2 Kings 18:17 - "¶ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field."
"¶ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field." - 2 Kings 18:17
2 Kings 17:18 - "Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only."
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
Revelation 17:18 - "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
1 Kings 18:17 - "¶ And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?"
2 Kings 1:18 - "Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
"Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only." - 2 Kings 17:18
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
1 Kings 2:18 - "And Bath-sheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king."
2 Kings 17:8 - "And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 8:18 - "And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD."
2 Kings 18:18 - "And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder."
1 Kings 18:2 - "And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria."
2 Kings 18:15 - "And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house."
2 Kings 18:36 - "But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
2 Chronicles 17:18 - "And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war."
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
"And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" - 2 Kings 14:18
2 Kings 3:18 - "And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand."
2 Kings 18:33 - "Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?"
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
2 Kings 18:5 - "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him."
2 Kings 16:18 - "And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria."