I Have Heard Your Prayer

VERSE OF THE DAY: ~ 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 “Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will 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.  Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.  For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.”

The background to this event is found in the past two chapters. The temple has been built, and during the worship at it’s dedication God showed up in the form of a cloud. God’s presence was so intense that the priests had either all fallen out under His awesome power or were in some other way immobilized from continuing their ministerial duties. Scripture says they could not stand to minister. Solomon at that time, showing his heart for his kingly role, began to intercede for the nation and for God’s people. Today’s verse is an account of God visiting Solomon and answering the king’s prayer. As a side note, I wonder what a nation would be like if it’s leaders had a heart for God and His people like Solomon demonstrates here, to intercede like he did in chapters 5-6? Oh that God would restore His people throughout the land!

God’s answer to Solomon was YES! I believe today it is the same YES if my people will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land! Notice that God doesn’t say anything about the unbelievers, He says “My people” we as God’s church will get a lot farther if we could stop blaming others and be humble enough to confess and seek God for our own ways. This is a key element for national revival! It starts with me! Not them, but it takes true humility to admit it and turn. I want nothing more than to experience the power of God’s love sweeping this nation and healing our broken land. So I ask you to turn and seek His face with me……..

PRAYER: “Father I no longer want to play church, I just want You! I renounce any hypocrisy, any self-righteous attitudes or behaviors and ask You to forgive me. I turn from all pretense and religious tradition or ritual that may interfere with having a real and intimate relationship with You and I ask that You replace it with humility, love and a truly sincere heart to know You. I pray for my leaders both spiritual and political that You would empower them to live for You without holding back. And I ask that You heal the brokenness of our country by restoring Your salvation and forgiveness to those who don’t know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”  

VERSE FOR FEARLESS LIVING!  ~ 1 Samuel 12: 20-24 “Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.