Pray for God's Help 2

2 Chronicles 7:13-15

As a teacher I expected order and discipline in my classroom. And so, to help our discussions and class time to be productive, I insisted that any student who wanted my attention or who wanted to speak should raise his or her hand first. I often told them that if they did not raise a hand I was not able to hear them.

Solomon is famous for his wisdom, but he is also noted for building the temple in Jerusalem. This was to be the place of worship, the place where the faithful could be in the presence of their God. In today’s passage God is responding to Solomon.

What has been the problem? What must the people do in order for God to hear their prayer? How will God respond?

In the time of Solomon the Israelites have evidently experienced hard times, times when they felt that they had been forgotten by God. But God reminded them that if they turned from sinning and humbly sought Him, He would hear their prayers. They had to behave a certain way to connect with God.

Many churches may feel that they are an oasis of goodness in a desert of sin. They may feel that there is little any of the faithful can do to help save the world. But we must do something to serve God’s kingdom.

If we are planning any type of ministry for ourselves or for our church, we need to recognize that one of the first things we must do is turn to God in prayer. By covering our intentions and activities in prayer we are working to ensure that our efforts will be blessed and filled with the power of God.

But our prayers must be offered in humility. We must seek God. We must confess our sins and find forgiveness in Him first. And then we may ask of God.

Although the tasks before us may seem insurmountable now, we need to remember that God will indeed hear our prayers. His eyes are open to us. His ears listen to us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What prayer do you have for God?