Background:
Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was the 13th king of Judah and reigned during a tumultuous period marked by the threat of Assyrian invasion. His reign is noted for significant religious reforms, including the restoration of the temple and the re-establishment of proper worship practices. Hezekiah's faith and leadership are prominently displayed during the crisis with Assyria, particularly in his prayer in the temple, which is recorded in 2 Kings 19:14-19 and Isaiah 37:14-20.

Context:
The Assyrian king Sennacherib had launched a campaign against Judah, capturing fortified cities and threatening Jerusalem. In a display of arrogance, Sennacherib sent messengers with a letter to Hezekiah, mocking the God of Israel and boasting of Assyria's conquests. Faced with overwhelming odds and the blasphemous challenge, Hezekiah turned to the Lord in prayer.

The Prayer:
Hezekiah's prayer is a profound expression of faith and reliance on God. Upon receiving the letter from the Assyrian messengers, Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. His prayer is recorded as follows:

"Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: 'O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands. But now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You, O LORD, are God alone.'" (2 Kings 19:14-19)

Theological Significance:
Hezekiah's prayer is a model of humility and trust in God's sovereignty. He acknowledges God's unique position as the Creator and Ruler of all nations, contrasting the living God with the powerless idols of wood and stone. Hezekiah's appeal is not merely for personal or national deliverance but for the vindication of God's name among the nations. This reflects a deep understanding of Israel's role as a witness to the one true God.

Divine Response:
In response to Hezekiah's prayer, God sent the prophet Isaiah with a message of assurance. The Lord declared that He would defend the city for His own sake and for the sake of His servant David. That very night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to Sennacherib's retreat and eventual assassination (2 Kings 19:35-37). This miraculous deliverance underscored God's power and faithfulness, affirming that He alone is sovereign over the affairs of nations.

Legacy:
Hezekiah's prayer and the subsequent deliverance of Jerusalem have been remembered as a testament to the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God's intervention in times of crisis. His example encourages believers to approach God with confidence, trusting in His ability to act for His glory and the good of His people.