Known To God

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

When a great host of Assyrians encamped outside Jerusalem, the people and king Hezekiah were filled with fear.  The Assyrian war machine had torn through nations and people with ease and finally arrived at the gates of Jerusalem intent on destroying the will of the people to fight, swallow up the nation and absorb them in captivity.  After Hezekiah heard the report of what the Rabshakeh has said, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and went to the house of the LORD.  He also sent messengers to the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 37:4 who said to him, "It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left."

Hezekiah was a godly king who feared the LORD and hearkened to His prophets.  Though he went up to the house of the LORD in mourning at the disturbing report brought to him, it seems Hezekiah's hope was God would hear the words of the Rabshakeh to rebuke them, and urged Isaiah to pray for the remnant because he would be heard by God.  In going up to the house of the LORD I would expect Hezekiah to meet with the chief priest, though it is not recorded for us.  Later he would spread out a scroll of threats before the LORD and prayed believing the LORD would hear and respond.  Hezekiah's reliance on God, seeking Him in prayer and urging others to pray is a good example to us all.

In the age of grace in which we live, Hezekiah could only see the faint outline of the LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ who has been revealed, has risen from the dead and ascended to the Father.  He has been revealed to be the KING OF KINGS and the great High Priest and Hebrews 7:25 says, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."  Instead of accommodating worry or anxiety, Christians are called by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to "let your requests be made known to God."  It is fine for us to ask others to pray to God on our behalf, but they never ought to pray to God for or instead of us.  Hezekiah did not retire to his palace and direct Isaiah what to pray, but because he trusted and feared the LORD he sought God himself first.  When Hannah was barren she sought the LORD herself in prayer without consulting with the high priest who imagined she was drunk!  God heard the prayers of Hannah and Hezekiah, and He will hear our prayers of faith in Him as well.

Often what is called "prayer requests" are made of other people to pray and outline a need or circumstances where we desire God would intervene.  Telling people about our problem or having people pray on our behalf does not meet the conditions of the peace of God promised in Philippians 4:7.  Having sought the LORD in prayer, with supplication and thanksgiving, having made our requests known to God, then the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  If we are anxious without contentment, rest or confidence in the LORD, it may be we have neglected to actually pray about it.  Thinking about a situation is not praying, though praying involves thinking.  Prayer is an expression of our faith God hears and will answer according to His goodness and grace.  In bringing our requests to God we consider Who He is, what He has said and the glorious things He does.

Friends, I encourage you to let your requests be made known to God by your prayers.  One does not need to be a king, a high priest, prophet or pastor to pray and be heard by God.  Hebrews 4:16 is true concerning all those born again by the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Before we ask God knows what we need, and praise Him timely mercy and grace is on offer for us all.  We can boldly make our requests known because we know Jesus, Who intercedes on our behalf, knows and loves us.