Jehoshaphat’s Story – The Prayer

NOTE – this post is a bit long, so you might want to grab a cup of coffee or tea and get comfy…

We are continuing to walk through Jehoshaphat’s story. Today we are focusing on Jehoshaphat’s prayer found in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12. We will walk through each portion of the prayer in the sections below.

Remember Who God Is

Jehoshaphat began his prayer with these words: “LORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” (v 6)

I love how Jehoshaphat started his prayer by emphasizing God’s strength. He knew who God was and he was quick to point that out. This was how he opened his prayer, even before mentioning the battle they were facing and before asking for the Lord’s help.

This part of the prayer made an impact in several ways. It helped him to come humbly before Almighty God with reverence. And it also reminded himself and the nation of Judah that God was all powerful and trustworthy.

Jehoshaphat knew the secret to faith: Faith is not about us. It’s about God.

When we keep that in mind, it helps us to face our battles with renewed confidence.

In the words of Dr. Charles F. Stanley, “A question I often ask myself is, ‘How would I conduct my life if I really believed God is who He says He is and if I really believed the Bible is His word?’ This is what living by faith is all about – taking God at His word.” [Charles F. Stanley’s Handbook for Christian Living © 2008 by Charles F. Stanley]

How can we doubt God when He is omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere), and omnipotent (all powerful)?

Priscilla Shirer puts it this way, “What we mean by ‘having faith’ actually says far less about us and a lot more about God. Faith does not focus on the quality or quantity of human belief. It focuses on how trustworthy, true, and loyal the object of that belief has proven Himself to be.” [The Armor of God © 2015 by Priscilla Shirer]

Each day, whether we are facing a battle or not, we have a choice. We can choose to put our faith in a trustworthy God. We can choose to trust what we know about His character.

God can handle anything we are up against. When we remember how mighty He is, this helps us to step forward with confidence and peace.

Remember God’s Promises

Next in Jehoshaphat’s prayer, he says, “Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (v 7)

I believe in this verse Jehoshaphat chose to remember God’s promise. God promised the land to the Israelites. When God promises us something, He will not go back on His word.

There are numerous verses in the Bible that tell us that God does not lie and does not change. One example comes from Numbers 23:19 in which it says, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

And I like the way Hebrews 6:18 puts it, “… it is impossible for God to lie …” [emphasis added].

In the words of Billy Graham, “…God does not change His mind. God never goes back on His promises or tells us something one day and something different the next. Unlike us, God always can be trusted to keep His Word. God, the Bible says, ‘does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind’ (1 Samuel 15:29)…” [billygraham.org]

When we are facing a battle, we too should remember God’s promises found in His Word. As it says in Isaiah 62:6 GNT, “… remind the LORD of his promises and never let him forget them.”

There is power in God’s Word. When we hold tightly to His promises, memorize them, repeat them, and use them in our prayers, we are bringing the most effective weapon to our circumstances.

“The LORD’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.” – Psalm 12:6 NLT

Know That God Is Always There and God Hears You

Jehoshaphat went on to say, “They [God’s people] have lived in it [the land] and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ “ (v 8-9)

In these verses, Jehoshaphat recalled the significance of the temple, which represented God’s presence to the Israelites. As it says in 1 Kings 8:11, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

In the temple there was a thick curtain that stood between the priests and God’s presence. Only the high priest was allowed to pass through the curtain, and that was only on one day a year (The Day of Atonement).

However, when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain was torn in two. What separated us from God is gone. We can now meet with the Lord anytime and anywhere.

And as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. God’s presence is with us everywhere we go. No matter what we are facing, He is with us. His power and strength never leave us.

Billy Graham said, “The moment that we receive Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts. Our body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit helps us live the Christian life. There is not a person anywhere who can be a Christian without the Holy Spirit. There is not a person who can follow Christ without the help of the Holy Spirit.” [decisionmagazine.com]

And Romans 8:38-39 tell us that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. What a gift we have in God’s presence!

“I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” – Psalm 16:8 NLT

In these verses, Jehoshaphat also remembered that God always hears our prayers. Sometimes we might feel like God doesn’t hear us. We might wonder why He isn’t acting as quickly as we want. Or we might think that He didn’t answer in the way that we wanted. But know that God always hears the prayers of His children. He is always listening. He longs to hear from you and He is eager to help you. He is closer than a phone call away.

And when our words fall short, when we are in such distress that we don’t know how or what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf. Romans 8:26-27 NLT says, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”

God Is Our Vindicator

Jehoshaphat ended his prayer by saying, “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (v 10-12)

In these verses, first Jehoshaphat tells God about the battle that they are facing. Of course, God already knows what is happening. He knows all. But it’s important to bring our concerns to God. When we talk to Him about what is going on in our lives and hearts, it gives God an opportunity to help us with what we are facing. It also brings us comfort and peace, as we bring our battles to the Lord.

Also in these verses, Jehoshaphat is seeking God for justice. He knows that ultimately God is our vindicator. God is a good God, which means He doesn’t like evil. And God loves His children, which means He doesn’t like when evil forces come against us. He doesn’t like when others unfairly wrong us.

When we face an injustice, let us remember that God is our vindicator. We can bring our concerns to God, because He is just, faithful, and trustworthy.

“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” – Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV

I also love the way Jehoshaphat ended his prayer with these words – “our eyes are on you.” I pray we too can always keep our eyes on God, no matter what we are going through. Keeping our focus on the Lord changes everything.

Let us end with our own prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, no matter what I am facing, I want to approach my battles the way Jehoshaphat did. I want to remember that faith is all about You and not about me. I want to remember how mighty You are. I want to hold tightly to Your promises and Your Word. I want to have peace because I know that You are always with me and You always hear my prayers. And I want to stand tall knowing that You are a God of justice and You will be my vindicator. Help me to keep my eyes on You, always. I’m so thankful for You, God! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you for reading. I hope you have a blessed weekend.

© 2018-2023 Bridget A. Thomas. All rights reserved.