Great Leaders Pray - 2 Chronicles 17-20

2 Chronicles 20:1-4 (ESV)

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

In this section we read the exploits of King Jehoshaphat.   He was a great king for Judah and served God in a great way.  Regrettably he would fall off from following God at the very end, but in the above passage we read one of his greatest moments.  Surrounded by the enemy the king would bring all Judah together to pray.  Imagine this approach playing out in our business world today!  Imagine this strategy being utilized in our government today.   It might even be hard to imagine this practice in some of our churches today.    Briefly, here is what he prayed.  This prayer would be the way God chose to deliver them from the enemy and give them great spoil (we read the end of this chapter): 

1.  Like the three Hebrews at the fiery furnace in the book of Daniel, he is willing to stand even if it looks like, feels like that evil is getting a momentary victory:

2 Chronicles 20:9 (ESV)

‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’

2.  He reminds God of His own word and promises and plan:

2 Chronicles 20:10 (ESV)  

And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy—

3.  He acknowledges his weaknesses:

2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

4. He inspires others to follow God despite the situation:

2 Chronicles 20:13-15 (ESV)

Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.

5.  He prepares them to praise God for the future victory:

2 Chronicles 20:18-19 (ESV)

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.