The Contents Of A Fervent Prayer (64:1-12)
Neal Pollard
Chapter 63 sets the stage for the obviously heartfelt, intense prayer of God’s people. Truly, “The one praying believes that the people who are called the ‘people of Yahweh’ should receive special attention and divine intervention from their God. The problem, of course, is that God cannot deal with them compassionately as long as they continue in their sins and do not confess them or turn from them” (Gary Smith, NAC, 684). Willful, habitual sin is a stubborn obstruction to effective prayer (1:15; 59:2). Yet, when we look at the heart of the one presenting prayer in this context, we see one who has turned a spiritual corner. The prayer here is of one totally transparent and humble as he calls on God in prayer. Notice the specific contents of this powerful prayer.
He calls for God to personally appear (1-2). The confidence of this praying one is that the evident action of God will be unmistakable in the eyes of his enemies (cf. Psa. 23:5). Those enemies will tremble when they see God in action.
He pleads for God to duplicate His deeds of the past (3-4). This petitioner draws on his history and heritage, when God unexpected, awesome things. He has faith in a God who acts, who makes mountains tremble and who does what human eyes and ears cannot anticipate.
He longs for fellowship with God (5). As fearsome as God’s power is, He meets with the one who rejoices in doing righteousness. Those who walk in the light need not fear or hesitate to commune with God (1 John 1:7).
He asks for God to be merciful (5b). There is never a question of the flawlessness of God’s character, as perfectly balanced as a holy God would be. Why was God angry with them? They had sinned–for a long time! Could they hope for salvation while so stubbornly sinful?
He acknowledges weakness, sin, and inadequacy (6-7). How does God feel when one falls unpretentiously before Him? Jesus illustrates it well in a parable, when a tax collector could not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his chest, “saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner” (Luke 18:13). Jesus’ startling conclusion? “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). The praying one in Isaiah 64 confesses to spiritual uncleanness, with even “righteous deeds” being like filthy garments, withered by sinfulness and gnarled by self-sufficiency. Honest prayers have heaven’s rapt attention.
He claims heritage and identity (8-9). Only in the wake of full confession does he dare to appeal to his spiritual family ties. He calls Him Father, Potter, and Lord. He claims to simply be the work of God’s hands and part of the people of God. On that basis, he hopes for mercy and compassion.
He requests for God to restore (10-11). The present looks both grim and dim. The nation is decimated. The temple is gutted by fire. Its contents are now ruins. Only divine intervention can change the state of things.
He prays for God to act on their behalf (12). The summary petition of this fervent prayer is brief, but intense: “Will You restrain Yourself at these things, O Lord? Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure?” As do others in Scripture (some 61 times from Exodus to Revelation), Isaiah is essentially asking, “How long?” In the throes of suffering, sorrow, and sin, we most acutely sense our need of God’s rescue. That’s where the prophet and the people are. It is where we regularly find ourselves. We never grow beyond the need of God’s gracious intervention. With such a sense, won’t we stay glued to the practice of fervent prayer (Jas. 5:16)?
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