Day 2: If My People Pray

VERSE: “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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

DEVOTIONAL: When this passage was written there was a great shift in Israel. King David passed away, and his son, Solomon, had become king. There were several days of celebration and a huge party dedicating the Temple of the Lord. One night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said the very words of 2 Chronicles 7:14. God’s instruction was clear: if His people wanted to hear from Him, they should (1) humble themselves and pray; (2) seek His face; and (3) turn from their wicked ways. Then God would not only hear them, but He would forgive them and heal their land.

Humility and prayer go hand in hand. When we pray, we kneel or bow our heads, demonstrating submission to God. Humility is a characteristic that Jesus demonstrated in Philippians 2. Humility makes the good great! God loves a person with a humble heart who seeks His face.

To seek the face of God is to seek God’s presence, not just the gifts He bestows. Imagine a child coming to her parents daily asking for gifts repeatedly, but never stopping to listen and just spend time with them… sounds kind of like the teenage years! That would be a one-way relationship. If you love God, don’t treat Him like a genie. Instead, seek His face by desiring simply to be in His presence.

To turn from our wicked ways is to repent. To repent means you do a 180 degree turn and change your direction by going away from sin and toward God.

As Easter approaches, keep in mind that to prepare your heart, you should humbly pray, seek the presence of God, and repent.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness. Please help the people of New Hope Church to prepare our hearts to receive Your blessing this Easter. Amen.