How to Get God’s Attention
”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.
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.”
2 Chronicles 7:14-15
Remember those “if-then” statements from high school geometry? “If p, then q.” In philosophy, these statements are called “conditional arguments of hypothetical syllogism.” These statements start with a premise or a conditional, known as the antecedent, and then they move on to the consequent. 2 Chronicles:7 details Israel’s cycle of sin and repentance. It’s like a conditional statement, in order for God to hear the prayers of the people of Israel, forgive their sin, and heal their land, they must humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways.
It is important to note that God told Solomon in verse 13 what He would do to the Israelites and their land if they didn’t change their wicked ways. There would be no rain, and locusts and plagues would cover the land. The Israelites are God’s chosen people, and He addressed them according to the covenant relationship He has with them by calling them “My people.” God has a New Testament covenant with believers, those who proclaim Jesus as Lord, which makes this passage of Scripture especially applicable in today.
If we want to get God’s attention, we must humble ourselves. We cannot blatantly have a lifestyle of sin before God and expect Him to hear our prayers. We must repent sin and receive God’s forgiveness. He expects us to pray, seeking His face and not His hand. More frequently than not, we want the presents from God but not the presence of God.
The Bible teaches us that “in His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand, there are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11). Would you feel comfortable requesting a favor or asking for something from someone you’ve wronged, especially if you haven’t tried to make amends with them? Most people would hesitate to do that. Then there are those who can do no wrong in their own eyes. However, God takes notice of such wicked ways, both on an individual and collective level.
Although this passage is directed at Israel as a nation, it has practical application to the United States of America, the churches within, and the people who live here. For individuals, we may not have literal lands that need healing, but metaphorically, our lands can be our relationships, marriages, health, finances, children, careers, or other things.
No matter what it is, we can go to God, knowing that He can and wants to heal our land. Instead of having a sense of entitlement that God owes us something, we need to humbly submit our requests to Him with the right attitude and a heart of repentance. He will do what He said if we meet the conditions, He has given us.
We must recognize our own limitations and that we can do nothing without God. We should rely on Him for everything. Humility is crucial in our relationship with God. We express our desire for a relationship with Him by praying to Him and turning away from sin. When we repent from evil, God hears our prayers, heals our land, and brings restoration. This is His promise to His people.
Reflection: Is prayer a priority for you? Do you have a commitment to lifelong self-examination—not a sin conscience, but a desire to align your life with God’s will and make corrections as needed? Are there habitual practices of sin that you have failed to address in your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in this area.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we repent for the ways our current culture promotes sin and encourages turning away from biblical standards. Help us to turn away from idolatry and selfishness and toward righteousness and mercy. Forgive us. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Allow the light within us to transform our families, communities, and nation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Upcoming Connect 21 Events
- Saturday Morning Prayer (Jan 13th @ 9 am at The Way Woodstock 109 Towne Lake Pkwy, Woodstock GA)
- Sunday Morning Service (Jan 14th @ 10 am at River Ridge High School)
- Prayer Masterclass, Wednesday, Jan 17th via YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@linkedupnorth)