Daily Devotional – ‘In His Footstep’
By Kingdom Support Initiatives (KSi)
March 11th 2021

When We Pray (II)
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. II Chronicles 7:14
Bible Reading: II Chronicles 7:11-16
Another prerequisite in God’s promise to king Solomon is the need for God’s people to humble themselves. It takes humility to recognize one’s inability and turn to God who can fix it. The human heart is full of arrogance, ego and rebellion which make many people think they do not need God (Psalm 14:1). Praying and seeking God’s face requires humility because it means admitting one’s inabilities and turning and surrendering to the Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresent God.
Also, God says ‘if my people… pray and seek my face’. Praying and seeking God’s face is another important condition. Prayer is a divine communication system to reinforce and establish God’s kingdom and His will here on earth. It is not only a means to collect or ask for things from God. Prayer is for building relationship and fellowship with God. No wonder Jesus Christ admonishes us to pray without ceasing. Pray consistently and at all time (Luke 18:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). When we pray in Jesus name, we are taking authority because at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).
Finally, God’s people have to turn from their wicked ways. There are some situations that remain unchanged not because people are not praying but because the people involved have not turned away from their wicked ways. Wickedness, ungodliness and unrighteousness attract unpleasant consequences and God’s wrath (Romans 1:18). God considers some things as abomination and unfortunately, it is those acts that our world take glory in. For instance, “haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in community” (Proverbs 6:16-19). God also hates idolatory, adultery, homosexuality etc (Romans 1:21-32). His love is available to whoever that is involved in such acts because God is love and He does not want anyone to perish. Jesus Christ is that the door of your heart knocking to coming in (Revelation 3:20).
Dear friends, after these conditions have been met, then, God hears our cry, forgive our sins and healing our land and our situation. When we pray and seek God’s face in full submission unto Him, our life and situation will never remain the same because through the process of daily seeking Him, our lives are transformed to become like Him.
Action Point: Settle with God in your heart, ask for God’s mercy over areas of your life that you have not lived up to His divine expectation.
Intercessory prayer: Pray for your family, friends, community and the country you reside in.
Hymn: What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!