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The Prayer that God Hears
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chron 7:14)
The Almighty God is a prayer answering God. He truly cares about His creation. However, God also has a plan for each of us. That plan will lead us to reconciliation with Him. Praying for the will of God in our lives will receive a positive response.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1 John 5:14-15)
Requests for material things and situations that temporarily satisfy our lusts will not get God’s blessing and approval.
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:2-3)
God gave Solomon the criteria the Lord is looking for in our prayers. The attitude we have when we approach Him is as vital as the prayer itself.
“If my people…” suggests that God is desiring a relationship with us. He is not a genie that obeys our demands. He is our Father, and we are His children. We belong to Him. We have been purchased with His blood.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
“…which are called by my name…” indicates that God is not generic; He is not a Deity that we create and label. The Creator has an identity and does not want to be confused with any idol or human fantasy. Further, He wants His people to be identified with Him. Therefore, God has a name.
I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (John 5:43)
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Eph 3:14-15)
“…shall humble themselves…” declares the attitude in which we should approach God. Humility is simply bringing ourselves under subjection and under the authority of the Lord. Humility is a choice.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10)
“..and pray…” This is how we communicate with God. Speaking our hearts unto the Lord is the greatest privilege we have. Sincere, earnest prayer will change us and our circumstances.
“..and seek my face…” This is a personal meeting with no third parties sending notes back and forth. There is no hiding or avoiding each other. This is a desire to be open and honest with God, and wanting Him to be up front with us.
“…and turn from their wicked ways…” Repentance is the word that sums up this entire Scripture. If there is no willingness and no effort to change our lives from sin to righteousness, then God just leaves us to our own destructive devices. We must turn from our ways to God’s ways.
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. (John 9:31)
When God hears, He forgives and heals. Forgiveness and healing are the true remedies that every person needs. And only Jesus Christ, God in the flesh , can provide them. If we pray according to this Scripture, the answer is assured.
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matt 7:8)
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