What other biblical instances show God answering prayers like in 2 Kings 19:20? Setting the Scene in 2 Kings 19:20 “Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’” (2 Kings 19:20) Old Testament Echoes of Answered Prayer • Genesis 24:15 — “Before he had finished praying, suddenly Rebekah came out with her water jug on her shoulder…” • Exodus 14:15-16 — “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to Me? … lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it…’” • 1 Samuel 1:19-20 — “…the LORD remembered her… Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son… ‘Because I have asked for him from the LORD.’” • 1 Kings 18:37-38 — “Answer me, O LORD… Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering…” • 1 Kings 18:44-45 — “On the seventh time… ‘There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand…’ Meanwhile the sky grew dark… and a heavy rain began to fall.” • 1 Chronicles 4:10 — “…Jabez called out… ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed…’ And God granted the request of Jabez.” • 2 Chronicles 20:12, 17, 22 — “O our God… our eyes are upon You… ‘You need not fight this battle…’ As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes…” • Daniel 2:18-19 — “They pleaded for mercy… During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision…” • Daniel 9:20-23 — “While I was still speaking in prayer… Gabriel… said, ‘At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out…’” • Daniel 6:22 — “My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions…” • Jonah 2:2, 10 — “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me… And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” New Testament Portraits of God’s Immediate Response • Luke 1:13 — “‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard…’” • Acts 4:31 — “After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” • Acts 10:31 — “‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God.’” • Acts 12:5-11 — “Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying… Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared…” • Acts 16:25-26 — “Paul and Silas were praying… Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison…” • John 11:41-42 — “‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me…’” Patterns That Surface Across These Stories • A specific, heartfelt petition rises to God. • The request lines up with His character and redemptive plan. • Humility and faith mark the one who prays. • God responds in unmistakable, sometimes miraculous ways that bring Him glory and strengthen His people. Encouragement for Today’s Prayer Life The same Lord who answered Hezekiah assures His people, “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3). The testimonies above invite confident, Scripture-shaped prayer that looks expectantly for God’s faithful, timely reply. |
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