“Give yourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Give yourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. If you do not pray, God will probably lay you aside from your ministry, as He did me, to teach you to pray” (Robert Murray McCheyne).  The spiritual health of leaders determine the health of families, churches or nations. The amount of spiritual fruit in peoples’ lives is proportional to the amount of prayer. The destiny of a nation is determined by prayer.

Jehoahaz’s evil caused God to give Israel into the hand of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-hadad the son of Hazael. Jehoahaz entreated the favor of the Lord who listened because He saw the oppression. The Lord gave Israel a deliverer so they escaped from the Arameans and lived in tents as formerly. They continued in the sins of Jeroboam and the Asherah remained standing in Samaria. They had only 50 horsemen, 10 chariots and 10,000 footmen because Aram destroyed them (2 Kings 13:1-13). God delivers nations from evil, defeat, oppression and deficiency as leaders pray.

Elisha told Joash, king of Israel, to shoot the Lord’s arrow of victory over Aram until they were destroyed. He was told to take the arrows, but only struck the ground three times. Elisha said if he struck the ground five or six times, he would have destroyed Aram. When a dead man touched the bones of Elisha. he revived and stood up. The Lord was gracious because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Three times Joash defeated Ben-hadad and recovered the cities of Israel (2 Kings 13:14-25). The extent of deliverance and victory is proportional to the amount of persevering prayer from leaders. 

Amaziah, king of Judah, did right in the sight of the Lord except people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. He killed the servants who had slain his father, but kept their sons alive according to law of Moses that sons or fathers were put to death for their own sin. Jehoash, king of Israel, told Amaziah that since his heart became proud after defeating Edom, he should enjoy his glory at home and not provoke trouble to himself or Judah. He did not listen and Judah defeated Israel by tearing down the wall of Jerusalem and taking all the gold, silver and utensils from the house of the Lord and king’s house (2 Kings 14:1-16). A leader’s sin and pride hastens evil, defeat, oppression and deficiency. 

Jeroboam made Israel sin and restored its borders from Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to God’s word that he spoke through His servant Jonah. The Lord saw the bitter affliction of Israel without a helper. Jeroboam saved them and fought to recover Damascus and Hamath that belonged to Judah (2 Kings 14:17-29). Victory comes by claiming God’s promises and fighting for the faith through prayer.

Azariah king of Judah did right in God’s sight according to all his father Amaziah did. The people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. The Lord struck the king with leprosy until his death and had to live in a separate house. God fulfilled his word to Jehu that his sons would be on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation (2 Kings 15:1-12). God fulfills His promises for good in proportion to the obedience of leaders.

Menahem killed Shallum and became king in his place. He did evil in the sight of God and did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam that he made Israel sin. Menahem gave Put, king of Assyria, 1000 talents of silver so he would be with him to strengthen the kingdom under his rule. Menahem exacted money from all the mighty men of wealth in Israel. Pekah conspired against Pekahiah with 50 Gileadites and became king in his place (2 Kings 15:13-26). Power and materialism lead people to selfishly rule over others.

Pekah did evil in the sight of God and did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam that he made Israel sin. Hoshea conspired against Pekah, put him to death and became king in his place. Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah did what was right in God’s sight like his father. The people sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of the Lord (2 Kings 15:27-38). The example of leaders influence people toward evil or good.   

Ask God to increase your prayer life so you persevere daily in your most important discipline. The health of your family, church and nation depend on it. 


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