“Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see. . . .”

— 2 Kings 19:16

I recently spent a morning with Pastor Obelto, who leads a network of Haitian church plants in Florida. I will never forget his words: “Like Hezekiah, we prayed and prayed and prayed.”

His growing church was meeting in a storefront when the owners told them they had to leave to make way for a new restaurant that was coming to town. This group of recent Haitian immigrants had very little money, and whatever money they did have they were sending back to their relatives, who were struggling in their home country. But they needed a worship place where they could meet the spiritual needs of their community as they dealt with significant trauma and a sense of displacement.

So they looked to the Bible, and they were inspired by the story of Hezekiah. They called on God with boldness and conviction, and God answered their prayers. I had the wonderful privilege of walking through this answer to prayer with them—a fitting house of worship unique to their Haitian culture that can proudly share the ministry of Jesus.

Today their church provides a place of solace for a community that has been struck by devastation. Their story is a reminder that God hears us when we call on him. God knows all that we need, and he provides.

Lord, I confess that at times I can lose my passion for prayer. Rekindle in me a hunger to call on you like Hezekiah did, and like so many others around the world. In Jesus, Amen.