“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV).
Thursday, May 7, is the National Day of Prayer. NGU is offering a Drive-In Prayer Vigil at the Tim Brashier Campus in Greer at noon. If you are able, join us for this time of prayer for our nation, our churches, and NGU. You will be able to hear the service through your vehicle radio at FM 107.1. WLFJ morning show personalities Rob Dempsey and Lizz Ryals will be joining us. I hope to see you Thursday.
The context of the passage above is the dedication of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. Yahweh is well aware of our sin nature. He knows the depths of our depravity. All of time is in the present tense for God. He is the great I Am. He completely knows the past, present, and future. He knew that the Israelites would rebel against the Lord as had been their pattern prior to the construction of the temple. We, too, are prone to wander from God. As Isaiah 53:6a states, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way” (ESV). However, the Lord loves his people too much to leave us in our sin. He promised his people that when they sin and rebel against the Lord God if his people, those who are called by his name, humble themselves, and pray and seek his face, then God would hear their prayers of repentance, forgive their sin and heal their land.
The Call to Prayer
- “If my people who are called by my name”—emphasizes that believers bear the mark of God’s ownership. The problems in our world begin at the church house, not the White House. God’s people have rebelled because they have not called on the name of the Lord. Prayer is a privilege that is so often neglected by those who know God. If we want to see a spiritual awakening in our land, it will begin with God’s people praying. We are image bearers of Yahweh. We are called to honor and obey the Lord.
- “Humble themselves and pray”—humility is a requirement for effective prayer. We must recognize our lack of self-sufficiency. We do not control our destiny. Our lives are in the hands of the Creator. Humility recognizes our desperation. We need God, not as a crutch, but as the sustainer of life. Even so, humility is not enough. We must also pray in an effort to know and in obedience follow the purposes of God.
- “And seek my face”—Do you long to be in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 27:4)? Just to enjoy being with him? Our quiet times provide opportunities to slow us down and to enjoy the Lord. There is refuge, peace, comfort, and guidance in the presence of the Lord. Seek his face.
- “And turn from their wicked ways”—Repentance is not a popular topic for many self-reliant believers. We tend to live our lives our way rather than God’s way. However, repentance is necessary for one to come to Christ. It is imperative for all who seek to walk with Christ every day. Read Psalm 139:23-24. Ask the Lord to search your heart and to reveal your sin. In our humanness, like Adam and Eve, we prefer to hide our sin rather than deal with it. In order to experience God’s forgiveness and healing, we must repent.
As we practice these biblical guidelines for prayer, we can be confident that the Lord hears our prayers and forgives our sins. We also need to pray for our nation and our world in the midst of this pandemic. May many turn to Lord and find comfort and help in their time of need (Psalm 46:1; Heb 4:16).