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 resistance against Assyrian domination. Isaiah, a major prophet in the Hebrew Bible, was a contemporary of Hezekiah and played a significant role in advising the king during his reign.

Biblical Account:
The narrative of Hezekiah and Isaiah's prayer is primarily found in 2 Kings 19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 37. This event occurs during a critical period when the Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem.

The Assyrian Threat:
Sennacherib, having already conquered much of Judah, sent his officials to Jerusalem with a message of intimidation, urging Hezekiah to surrender. The Assyrian envoys mocked the God of Israel, comparing Him to the powerless gods of other nations that Assyria had defeated. In response, Hezekiah sought the counsel of the prophet Isaiah.

Hezekiah's Prayer:
Faced with overwhelming odds, Hezekiah turned to the Lord in prayer. He went up to the house of the Lord and spread the threatening letter from Sennacherib before God. Hezekiah's prayer is recorded in 2 Kings 19:15-19 :

"And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: '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. But now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.'"

Isaiah's Prophecy:
In response to Hezekiah's prayer, Isaiah delivered a message from the Lord, assuring the king that Jerusalem would be spared and that Sennacherib would not enter the city. Isaiah's prophecy is recorded in 2 Kings 19:32-34 :

"Therefore this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: 'He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here or come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came, he will return; he will not enter this city,' declares the LORD. 'I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.'"

Divine Intervention:
The Lord fulfilled His promise through a miraculous intervention. That night, the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. When the people arose the next morning, they found the Assyrian army decimated. Sennacherib withdrew and returned to Nineveh, where he was later assassinated by his own sons (2 Kings 19:35-37).

Significance:
The account of Hezekiah and Isaiah's prayer highlights the power of faith and prayer in the face of insurmountable challenges. It underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to deliver His people. Hezekiah's reliance on God and Isaiah's prophetic assurance serve as enduring examples of trust in divine providence and the efficacy of prayer.