In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, and said, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Isaiah 38:1-3

Where do you turn when you’re out of options? In the passage above we see another instance of Hezekiah’s resolve – this time it was a personal need “at the point of death.”

I find it interesting how Hezekiah prayed. He didn’t turn to the prophet for help. He didn’t call a doctor for a second opinion. Isaiah tell us the king “turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.”

God honored Hezekiah’s prayer –

Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.

Isaiah 38:4

I am reminded of Jesus’ direction about prayer as he contrasted the hypocrites with those whose prayers are heard.

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:5-6

It’s not the amount of words we use, but our sincerity that matters when we pray.