Background:
Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was the 13th king of Judah, reigning from approximately 715 to 686 BC. He is noted for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, as well as his strong opposition to idolatry. Hezekiah's reign is documented in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah. His relationship with the prophet Isaiah is particularly significant, as Isaiah served as a spiritual advisor during critical moments in Hezekiah's reign.

The Assyrian Threat:
During Hezekiah's reign, the Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, posed a significant threat to Judah. Sennacherib's campaign against Judah is one of the most well-documented events of the ancient Near East, corroborated by both biblical and extra-biblical sources. The Assyrian king captured many fortified cities of Judah and eventually laid siege to Jerusalem.

Hezekiah's Response:
Faced with the overwhelming might of the Assyrian army, Hezekiah sought divine intervention. Hezekiah's response to the threat was marked by faith and reliance on God. He sent messengers to the prophet Isaiah, seeking his counsel and prayers. Isaiah assured Hezekiah that God would deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat.

Hezekiah's Prayer:
Hezekiah's prayer is recorded in 2 Kings 19:14-19 and Isaiah 37:14-20. Upon receiving a threatening letter from Sennacherib, Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread the letter before the LORD. His prayer is a profound expression of faith and dependence on God:

"O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands. And now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You, O LORD, are God alone." (2 Kings 19:15-19)

Isaiah's Prophecy:
In response to Hezekiah's prayer, Isaiah delivered a prophecy of deliverance. The LORD, through Isaiah, declared that Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem, nor shoot an arrow there. Instead, he would return by the way he came, and the city would be defended for the sake of God's name and His covenant with David (2 Kings 19:32-34).

Divine Intervention:
The fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy is recorded in 2 Kings 19:35-37. The angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp, leading to Sennacherib's withdrawal and eventual assassination by his own sons. This miraculous deliverance underscored the power of prayer and God's sovereignty over the nations.

Significance:
Hezekiah and Isaiah's prayer is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of crisis. It highlights the role of prayer in the life of a believer and the assurance that God hears and responds to the cries of His people. The narrative also emphasizes God's faithfulness to His promises and His ability to protect and deliver His people against overwhelming odds.