Thoughts on Prayer

Still not a whole lot to report on other than we have been spending the past couple of days in prayer. I would like to share some thoughts I had from my prayer time this morning.

I was reading II Chron. 7:14 which is a very familiar passage to most of us, I'm sure ("If my people who are called by My name will hunble 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."). As I was reading I realized how we often take this verse as a promise from God without considering the context. This verse really is a response from God to the dedication of the temple and to Solomon's prayer in chapters 5-6. When the nation of Israel came together in united worship and built a dwelling place for God, He responded by promising His presence and to hear their prayers (7:12-16).

We often take this verse by itself and say that if we will just pray and seek God, He will respond and bring revival to our community. However, I believe that the key to seeing 7:14 come to pass is by doing what Israel did in chapters 5-7:11. 1) It is essential that the people of God in a community come together in united praise (5:11-14). 2) That they are willing to pay the price of sacrificing their own lives, agendas, purposes, etc. for the Kingdom of God (7:4-5; compare Rom. 12:1; Matt. 6:33): to put the needs and concerns of other individuals and churches ahead of their own. This is costly, but a necessary part in humbling ourselves before God. And 3) the people of God must together build a dwelling place for God within the community. (7:12; compare Eph. 2:19-22). This is not a physical structure, but rather an atmosphere of unity, humility, and love which exemplifies and glorifies the character of God (See Acts 1-2).

So, we have no right to attempt to claim the promise God made in 7:14 if we have not created a place for God to dwell in our midst (7:12). Only when the people of God within a community do what Israel did in chapters 5-7:11 will we see the results of 7:12-16.

I pray that the Spirit of God will reveal to each of His children how to build a dwelling place for God in their community.

Blessings,
Mike