Monday, March 28, 2011

Humble Yourself in Prayer


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. (2 Chronicles 7:12-14)


It had been months, maybe years, that had passed since Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple (2 Chronicles 6). Several other building projects had been completed after the temple (2 Chronicles 7:11; 8:1). Then after all this time, God told Solomon that He had heard his prayer. In the next several verses (2 Chronicles 7: 13–15), the Lord reviews and answers the petitions of Solomon (2 Chronicles 6:14–42). Solomon’s prayers had been heard and would be answered, but there were conditions (2 Chronicles 7:14).




How often do we look for immediate answers to our prayers and, when nothing happens, wonder if God has heard us? God does hear, and He will provide for us. We must trust that God will answer at the proper time.



As the people received Solomon’s blessing, they stood; as Solomon prayed, he knelt (2 Chronicles 6:13). Both standing and kneeling are acts of reverence. Acts of reverence make us feel more worshipful, and they let others see that we are honoring God. When you stand or kneel in church or at prayer, make these actions more than mere forms prescribed by tradition. Let them indicate your love for God.



In chapter 6 of 2 Chronicles, Solomon asked God to make provisions for the people when they sinned. God answered with four conditions for forgiveness: (1) humble yourself by admitting your sins, (2) pray to God, asking for forgiveness, (3) seek God continually, and (4) turn from sinful behavior. True repentance is more than talk--it is changed behavior. Whether we sin individually, as a group, or as a nation, following these steps will lead to forgiveness. God will answer our earnest prayers.



Word Focus: pray - (Heb. palal) (2 Chronicles 7:14; Genesis 20:7; Numbers 21:7; 1 Kings 8:44; Isaiah 16:12; Jeremiah 7:16) H6419: The Hebrew verb translated pray in God’s promise concerning the revival of Israel (2 Chronicles 7:14) can also mean “to intervene,” “to interpose,” “to arbitrate,” or even “to judge.” The Lord was asking His people to intercede for others in their prayers.



During the dedication of the temple, Solomon modeled intercessory prayer (2 Chronicles 6:3–42). He pleaded with God on behalf of the people and continued to pray with determination until the Lord answered. According to the Lord, this type of prayer would be the catalyst for revival and restoration in the future (Daniel 9:3–19).



Father God, it is my prayer today that revival and restoration will take place in this wicked and sinful world that I live in. Lord I know that for this to take place that I must humble myself in prayer to You and repent of all my sins. I ask You Lord to search my heart for anything that would be a stumbling block for revival. Lord, send a great Revival to this nation, and let it begin in me. I pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.



References: NKJV Holy Bible, Life Application Bible (NIV), the Nelson Study Bible.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great reminder! Too many times we want the promises and blessings and we ignore the parts of the verses that give the conditions to that happening. We cannot do that and still expect the blessings.

Thanks!!

Phil Brown said...

Good thoughts. Thanks for sharing.

Jan Samuel said...

Thanks for the great post brother
Psalm 121
Isaiah 45 verse 1-2-3
made me so happy today
so I am sharing with you

God bless you and your family
Nothing is impossible with God
and he is with us every day
Greetings from
Jan

Laikka said...

thanks for sharing this message..godbless!

Pastor said...

What a beautiful post and a beautiful page. Thank you for inviting me. I absolutely love your page. So much information and it makes me feel like I'm at home. I've just recently got a strong calling to work for God. Today I just took a step to get my degree in ministry when I complete my current school in Feb. I will then keep on going to be a Psychologist for couples and family's. I'm excited where God is leading me and I'm so grateful he had me post my blog. It has opened the doors to me from people like you. God Bless you and yours and God bless for what you do for others.
Rev. Elizabeth Arsenault
"God Hears You"
(My blog)

Unknown said...

Prayer is vital in our walk with the Lord. As long as we keep the communication open with Him, then we can hear what He's telling us.

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! Thanks for reminding me how important and affective intercessory prayer is!

Have a blessed week!

Mrs. A

laura emily said...

wowzers you have a lot of followers! I'm lucky if I can just get anyone other my extended family to read our online devotional!

Beautiful post. We definitely need more prayer for revival in this world- especially within the church! Great post!

God bless,
Laura Emily

A.Marie said...

Very nice post! Have a Blessed Day!! :)

Lathavijayakumar said...

When we make the prayer we will make humble on god. Truly speaking your prayers are so good. thanks for visiting my blog. Thanks for your blessings.

Lathavijayakumar said...

When we pray we always humble on god. Your humble prayers so nice.

Thanks for visiting my blog and
thanks for your blessings also.

Donald Fishgrab said...

Too many have quoted II Chronicles 7:14 as "2ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall... pray... then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." That's not what God has said. Unless people also "humble themselves," putting aside their pride, "and seek my face," finding out what God demands, "and turn from their wicked ways;" beginning to obey him, they have not fulfilled the requirements.

Excellent post

Erick Reinstedt said...

Thanks so much for the post. I was blessed by it. I look forward to what God has to share through you in the future, and to growing stronger together through dialogue. May God pour His Spirit over you and yours and your ministry.
God bless,
Erick

Anonymous said...

Joining you in prayer. Lord, search my heart too for anything that may be a stumbling block for revival. Keep us from ever being lukewarm. Revive us and revive your people across this world. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Praying.

Mari Nuñez said...

Great post, Lloyd. The humbleness in prayers gives us so much blessings. Thanks for reminding us.

Mouschi said...

Hi Lloyd, thank you for reading my blog. I never thought anyone would. It's been there for ages and this was a pleasant surprise.

Sidney Alves Amaral said...

Olá Lloyd, obrigado por estar sempre paticipando no meu blog, estou sempre lendo seus textos e tem nos edificado.
Seus comentários sempre nos anima a estar sempre a expressar cada vez mais o nome maravilhoso do Senhor Jesus Cristo.
Um grande abraço a você e a sua família.
NO amor de Cristo,
Sidney (papodedesenhista)

Anita Diaz said...

Lovely thoughts! It would amaze us all what God could do if we all truly humbles ourselves before Him. Thanks for stopping by! Can't wait to read more!

Debra said...

Lloyd, amen! Agreeing in prayer, first for myself, then for this nation, so far now from a "city set on a hill" that our founding fathers wouldn't even recognize it.

Philip Verghese 'Ariel' said...

Dear Llyod,
I am so glad that i found you in my blog, and am so delighted to read your encouraging and uplifting words.
I am so happy to be now at your blog. The latest one about prayer is really an edifying one.
Yes in your fifth para you said the vital part of it.
God's Four Conditions for forgiveness, as you said following these conditions God will answer our prayers
Let me quote the same here again with your permission:

Four conditions for forgiveness:
(1) Humble yourself by admitting your sins,
(2) pray to God, asking for forgiveness,
(3) seek God continually, and
(4) turn from sinful behavior.

Our (Back to the Bible) President recently published a book on Prayer titled: When God Doesn't Answer Prayer" In which Dr. Woodrow Kroll highlights twelve major typical attitudes or habits of Christians that keep prayers from being answered or even heard.
A Chapter from the book, ("God doesn't answer when We Have a Faulty Relationship with God") you can read here at our blog.
http://confidentlivingmagarticles.blogspot.com/2011/02/god-doesnt-answer-when-we-have-faulty.html
Best Regards.
Br. Phil
PS:
Llyod, I couldn't find any follow button in your blog. Pl. embed one, so that the readers can follow your blog.
Best

Solid Rock or Sinking Sand said...

Jan Samuel - Prayer is so powerful when all believers can unite into one body in Christ.

Father God, It is my prayer that you touch this sister in Christ with your merciful and healing hands and heal her of this terrible disease. Lord, we know that you are into miracles everyday and that you answer the prayers of those who will humbly come before You, repent and glorify You in everything that they do. Lord this sister is in your hands and whatever Your will is, it is what we accept because Your love is unconditionally dealt out to all those who love you. I pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.

Connie Arnold said...

Amen to your prayer and this great post, Lloyd!

Starry Dawn said...

Good Morning, Lloyd!!

What a beautiful brand newborn day the Lord has given to us, Lloyd!! I feel the many blessings that He grants to us. I see the miracle of a new life in every flower. I love your Blog, Lloyd. You have got a beautiful site and prayers in here. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world, Lloyd!! I am sad to know that you don't visit my poetry corner. You are welcome at anytime, dear Brother in the Lord, Lloyd. I shall visit your Blog from often. God may bless you and all those you love, Lloyd!!
All the best.
In God's Garden,
Poet Starry Dawn.

Unknown said...

I am thankful I came across your blog today - you are doing a good work for the Lord. Blessings!

Lynelle said...

Deep! You know a lot times I we need to be reminded! and you did just that in your post, keep it coming. Thanx!