WHY OUR 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 PRAYERS MAY BE UNANSWERED
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WHY OUR 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 PRAYERS MAY BE UNANSWERED
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2020 is a big four election year with bonuses: a plague in the land, civil unrest, and a potential famine on the horizon. No doubt politicians will unfurl the banner of 2 Chronicles 7:14 again as the battle cry to return to our nation to the glory days.
This is likely to be an unpopular post, but something we should consider – because despite our prayers… is the United States getting better?
Have we followed God’s advice in the context surrounding this verse and truly sought His face? Do we see evidence that we have turned from our wicked ways, actively choosing to walk in His? How is that humility thing working for us right now? Do our words on social media reflect His heart – or reveal our pride?
We have offered up this verse time and again. Why does He remain silent? Why has He not given us the desires of our heart to restore our country as we claim His Word says He will do?
Several years ago, after lamenting to a close friend that I had prayed so hard for restoration in an area of my life for 14 years, I said with great frustration, “I do not understand why He will not give me the desires of my heart as He promises in His word!”
She very wisely said, “Perhaps the desires of your heart do not align with His desires for you. Humble yourself, seek Him and ask that He align your heart with His desires for you.”
I was gob-smacked feeling, like I had been hit by a 2×4 board. But it hit me so hard that it turned me around in the direction I needed to go. A little sore, a little bruised, but wide awake and determined to run back to Him.
And today, with this blog, I hope to lovingly smack the faithful in America the same way: Maybe we are out of line – and our prayers are, too, because we are praying for the restoration of the wrong place.
Right now, He is calling His children scattered all throughout the earth to truly repent and come back to Him – louder than ever before – so He can celebrate our prodigal return with His faithful, loving kindness.
Perhaps our desires should be for full restoration of His land where He placed His name – and for our own restoration, as grafted in Children of God, within His borders. Maybe our prayers are better spent requesting that He establish the wide space His Word declares His family will have.
What would happen if our eyes looked forward to that with our minds submitted to His will for us?
It is fine to want the countries where God’s people are scattered to benefit and thrive. His Word tells us to settle down, build homes, and pray for the leaders in Jeremiah 29 while we are out here in Babylon. But, by and large, His people have become comfortable, lazy, and assimilated in the diaspora.
Do we consider how it makes Him feel when we cry out, begging Him to come spruce up the pig pens our lives have become instead of helping us limp our way back home?
God doesn’t make us go. He just helps us become willing to leave and head home in humility, walking obediently in Spirit and in Truth, hoping to see His face again, then when we do – picking up our pace to run to Him as He runs to us and welcomes us back home.
Psalm 122 encourages us to pray for the peace, the restoration to wholeness, the shalom of Jerusalem.
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In the model prayer Jesus taught us to first pray that the Father’s name would be hallowed. An example of when this was not done is found in Matthee12:22-32. After Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, so that he saw and spoke, all the people were astonished. They asked if He could be the promised Son of David. The Pharisees replied that It was only by Beelzebub that Jesus drives out demons. They were giving credit to Satan himself for an amazing miracle that should rightly have honored Father, Son, and Spirit. Jesus warned the Pharisees they were bordering on committing an extremely serious sin. Americans may be allowing, if not promoting, a similar sin in teaching students that all life arose spontaneously by unguided natural processes and further evolved into all living things and humans by methods such as natural selection. All kinds of theistic evolutionary theories defend the core of this very evil lie, but students and adults need to give God glory because he created the heavens and the earth by His divine power and wisdom. Microevolutionary changes do occur, but teaching students that all plants and animals and humans evolved from a common ancestor by natural processes robs God of the glory due Him. There is room for repentance here.
I will trust in the LORD, and lean not to my own understanding.
In the name of Jesus Christ
Our prayers ARE being answered by the dross in our society coming out on the surface. Yes, we need under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to repent for our personal sin before God, and be ready to repent before Him for the wider sins of our society, also repent for any self-serving (keep me comfortable) complacency in the Church.Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done now in our land,even if it means having the hidden ugliness (abuse,greed,hatred,lawlessness) come to the surface so it can be dealt with. It is hard to trust Him when He is letting stuff come to the surface! but we must trust!! and keep honoring Him and praising Him and praying as He leads us.
Recently, I came to the same realization that we have prayed 2 Chronicles 7:14 for years and still our nation and churches continue on with changing our ways or even gotten worse. I sat down and read 2 Chronicles 6 and all the first 13 verses of Chapter 7. I came to realize that we have not obeyed God’s “IF”. We have not repented, changed our wicked ways nor have we sought God (His face), Himself. Jesus, Himself, told us how to seek God’s face in Matthew 6:10. He said to pray “Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Then Matthew 6:12 instructs us to forgive others: unforgiveness blocks our heart from becoming one with God. Then, we are to pray to be delivered from the evil one. (verse 13). Apostle Paul in Eph 6:12 says that “we war not against flesh and blood, but powers and principalities in high places.” we want God to change America, but we do not ask Him to change us. This is my prayer.
Danger, depression; yes, I commiserate, but only for a moment. Consider that this site actually exists: what a blessing! The many contributors – both the columnists, and those of us posting our two cents – might well be praying for our great land, but in isolation, all the while wondering if there was anyone else out there like us – anyone who cared. Now, that would be depressing. To keep our exegesis in context is, indeed, a necessary practice. But, I would venture that God, who tells us that He sees the hearts of men, places a higher value on our disposition, than on our, sometimes, faulty interpretation of His word. Let us abide in Him, and though there is tribulation, and perhaps more ahead, it is nothing compared to the marvels in store!
That verse is half the sentence – read the whole sentence. It applies specifically to Israel at a time of pestilence or drought. Note WHO causes the problem – and why. In New Testament times no land was ever healed – not in the days of Peter or Paul. Do not take the text out of context – that is dangerous – and/or depressing!
All My Fellow IFA’ers:
There is nothing I can add to what’s been written by you all. I do want to say, however, that I am very impressed, and encouraged, by the highly civilized, well thought out comments that are always to be found at this site. And, I would echo what Paul Cirillo says about how appearances can be deceiving. It just might be that our prayers are being answered, just in God’s way and according to His timing – both of which I usually find to be perfect, though quite anxiety provoking. He has granted us many personal favors, has He not? And, if so, will He not think enough of us to hear the petitions for our country, and treat them seriously too? Our worldly gratifications often come quickly in this land of great wealth and opportunity, but He’s on His own schedule. So, let us press on, secure in the promise that He is with us to the end of the age.
I appreciate your desire for righteousness, but I think you are overlooking something. I believe God has begun to answer our cries for restoration by giving us President Trump. I think we can all agree that his list of accomplishments has been amazingly impressive and that a lot of good has come of it, eg, economic restoration, especially for minorities that were suffering, and protections for religious people.
However, as painful as it has been for the last few years, an incredible, amazing answer to prayer is the exposing of the corruption in our government known as the “Deep State.” True, there has been terrible injustice done by bogus investigations, but the point is that till Trump was elected, Americans were being deceived and did not know it. Now at least we know there is wickedness in government that must be dealt with. And it is being dealt with, slowly, very slowly, but the march goes on.
Do I think the church needs to repent over various sins? Of course. Do I think we should be concerned about Jerusalem? Yes. But I think we need to rethink our attitude about God’s attitude toward America. I believe His intention is to restore the American church and our country. I do not believe, as one of your commenters said, that God intends to judge America by the end of the year. This is a war, not just a battle, and wars take time. I think we need to open our eyes to what God is doing and persevere in the spiritual battle. As bad as it looks, I believe we are getting somewhere.
To recap, it’s not that your post is totally wrong. I just think that God is answering our prayers in ways that are different than what we might expect. Press on, brothers and sisters, in the battle! We shall reap if we do not grow weary!
I LOVE THIS! AND I TOTALLY GET IT. The desire of our hearts should be for His Land with His nane. Yes, I should humble myself and repent! Yes, pray for America. Yes, pray for the world. But my heart’s focus is to be home in the land He gave us… with HIM. This is not old testament stuff. This is fulfillment. This is our future! God didn’t change His boundaries. He allowed for everyone adoption into His family. Into His land. We’re in physical exile. Pray for the country we live in, but oh how my heart longs to be home. Thank you for sharing. This was a tough one…but not really so tough ❤❤❤
May I respond to Shelley’s comment and try to clarify some of my statements in yesterday’s reply. First, this scripture is written not to one person but the corporate body of believers in the Old Testament. It also ends with “and I will heal your land.” Thus, it is concerned with a national repentance from “wicked ways”, which I think we can all confess to be a part of. None of us are yet perfect, we are sinners saved by grace. Thank you, Jesus.
However, I do believe that we have a part here and that is confessing our sins in humility. What would be our corporate sins in America today? Why has there been no mention in the article, in the comments here, and in most churches each Sunday of our grievous sins against a holy God as individuals, but also as a community, a nation? They have to be many, but those most grievous have to be abortion and homosexuality.
I think this scripture is designed to speak to that situation. My observation going to many different churches over the years is that little prayer is given over to praying for repentance over our sins of abortion and homosexuality. How many minutes would you say has been set aside on Sunday morning for all those caught up in these sins, for their deliverance, for those who perpetrate those iniquities?
Look at Daniel’s prayer in Dan 9. How many times does he mention those words, and yet this was not before the destruction of Jerusalem and being taken into bondage, but after the 70 years.
I think that we have a tendency to pray mostly for ourselves and those we know. What about all those who are being persecuted daily in our own nation and all over the world? Does IfA do that? Yes, but do we in our own churches and homes?
The condition of our nation today is, I believe, a direct consequence to the lack of prayer in the corporate churches weekly, daily, and to the lack of speaking the truth in love wherever God leads, like on our jobs, in schools, to government, etc. There we are silent too often and that produces a reaction, a consequence, that is, the deterioration of the morals in our society.
Earlier congregations and believers understood the connection between their corporate prayers and the condition of their society and prayed regularly– prayers of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, long, long prayers, all night some times. It has been some 30 years or so since I even heard of such a happening.
The scripture says, “If . . ” It does not command us here but offers us the blessing of being heard by God our Father, forgiving our sins, and healing our land. America badly needs healing from the Almighty, Everlasting Creator, the Redeemer and Deliverer. The question is to us: Will we pray like those who came before us prayed?
Respectfully, we are the church… and we aren’t silent. Just look at ifapray.com. This is just one example of a mobilizes church intent on seeking the face and favor of our Creator.
In Deuteronomy 8 God warned Israel that when the people moved into the Promised Land and enjoyed the blessings of God in abundance there, they could well forget God and His commandments because they were so taken with the blessings that they became idols to the people. I have wondered about II Chronicles 7:14 and what God means by our needing to repent and humble ourselves…and then lately it all came together. Yes, our nation has sinned with abortion and the sexual revolution to extremes, but the Church, His body. What has been our sin specifically? I believe it’s idolatry. We are so satisfied with our houses, cars, bank accounts, jobs, education, abundance in food, clothes, accessories—go on and on. We’re not needing God because we have everything–or so we think! We want God AND our stuff. Didn’t God reject Israel’s worship because they offered less than perfect sacrifices, and worshipped idols PLUS God? “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me!”
Yes maam Miss Doris! Idolatry blocks our eyes, our ears, our feet, our hands, our noses…turns us into stone…..stone hearted people. It sneaks in a little at a time. And we have to be careful that our worship isn’t idolatrous either. When they sinned with the Golden Calf they thought they were doing the right thing since Moses was out of sight!
Your words hit the nail. Idolatry can be disguised. The isolation period of the Covid has made me realize that satisfaction with all the comforts, not even luxuries, was threatened. Why? Did I REALLY believe that the Lord was my provider, healer, sustainer? Was that satisfaction in daily comforts another form of idolatry?
I actually considered that isolation a blessing because it caused me to slow down and pay more attention to the only One who matters. What if…there are so many negative possibilities that could fill in those blanks. Will I still trust and depend on Him, no matter what?
Praise God! He has given us His Word, the Holy Spirit, and our Faith in Jesus Christ that we can rely solely on Him for the peace in our souls.
What is most concerning is that there isn’t sound evidence that the Church has repented. Things seem to move on as usual. Even as people were waking up to seeking God for Himself alone, George Floyd was murdered and because a huge distraction away from repentance and prayer. Yes, injustice is a huge reason for prayer, but if it’s not accompanied by repentance on the part of the pray-er, II Chronicles 7:14 has not been fulfilled.
This is my testimony from 3 weeks ago. It fits right along with what is written above….I have the most amazing view…out to my right I can see 18 miles to Comfort, the Hermann & Sons building glistening in the sunlight like a fortified castle on a hill. Across the way are pasture lands and fields, cedar groves and small ranches where people gather and live out their daily routines. A horse neighs, a rooster crows, a donkey bray’s, and the cows graze. To my left, more of the same, up to a mile and a half across the valley to the hills on the other side.
For four years now this summer, I’ve been given the pleasure, privilege, and honor of these amazing sights. As I sit here, I wonder…why do I not feel the exhilaration of the beauty and awe as I have for the last several years? Am I taking all this beauty for granted? Have I seen and experienced it all too much? Has it lost its majesty and appeal?
As I contemplate these thoughts, I’m drawn to the Voice in my heart… “Have my children forsaken my beauty, am I taken for granted, forgotten in the midst of busyness and distraction? Have those early days grown old and stale? Stir, stir, stir yourself, my child, my children, to see again, be revived again, to my beauty, my holiness, my majesty that leaves you in awe and expectation. This time is one of refocusing, reviving, preparing for the beauty of Holiness I long to set before you once again. Awaken, my Bride, and prepare yourself, make fresh your heart as I AM calling you up to a higher place, one where my beauty and joy flow freely in every circumstance. A place of moving forward in My strength, not your own. My Spirit will accomplish what I will do, but you must obey His direction in this season.”
I then was directed to PS 119:25-48. Four times the word “revive” appears. I encourage you to read this passage alongside the Strong’s Concordance, looking up the Hebrew definitions of the words. It is highly encouraging while putting into perspective how we should entreat our gracious Lord. The “beauty of holiness” refers to the obedience of “set-apart-ness. Remember…these are Biblical days.
1000% Thank you Debby! 1000% Obedience is so key right now with it renewal comes for sure. 🙂 Thanks for reading this and for posting this back. Very encouraging.
Guys, it only takes one person to change the future, Please come back, come into His prescene daily, woorship Him daily, be on your knees in praying for His direction. I am in His precene 24/7, but I am always obedient to Him. I am slowly removing my idols from myself and giving Him full leadership. You can do it too. As long as He takes the prominent role in your life, America will be still here when the Antichrist is seated on his throne in Rome.
Guys, it is not hard to obey Him, just do it.He waited over 2000 years, He is not waiting another 2000 years. Return from your slobber and make Him number one aggain.
Father deal with our heart, show your truth, our hearts deceive us and no one knows our hearts like you. Holy Spirit bring it all out even from our subconscious mind. Reveal what’s happening from the root cause of our deception, in Jesus name we ask, and pray. Help us to humble ourselves and repent. Help us not to excuse our sin no longer, in Jesus name. Amen
Amen amen! Revival begins with each one of us confessing and repenting of our sins. Return to God that times of refreshing may come. In Jesus Name.
Years ago, while watching the children’s movie, Wall•E, it hit me that many of us in America, , including Christians, were like those people on the floating lounge chairs: fat, happy, too comfortable. Not remembering this wasn’t our true home, nor aware that we were being encouraged to stay fat and happy by a malevolent force seeking to “root out” any sign of Life before it could turn our attention to our true home and become aware of the unseen battle going on.
I thank God that ‘He causes all things to come to good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.’ We also need to continue calling ‘those things that are not, as though they are.’ One of the battles is for our words.
Father, give us to want for ourselves and others, what You want for us. And open our eyes to love the way You love us! In the Name of Jesus, Name above all names. Amen.
Thank you so much for this Leslie! 🙂
Wow, such a great sobering word for the Body of Christ!
Lord, our God and gracious Father, the King of the universe, we turn to You not knowing how far we have fallen from Your ways, for Your ways are perfect. Give us a new lens to see how You see. Shine Your Light on our brokenness and grant us repentance. We NEED the conviction of Your precious Holy Spirit to truly turn from our wicked ways. Make us a people who will love You as you are worthy to be loved, and to love Others so deeply, even our enemies as You have said. Thank You for forgiving us, cleansing us from our sins, that the bones You have broken will cry out to You, knowing only You can heal us, granting us Grace to even receive your wonderful gift of Repentance. Laying down our desires, agendas, and how we think our lives and nation should look like. We run into Your Arms and our eyes are on You.
Thank you so much for reading it and I am glad it resonated with you in some way. After seeing it the other way for so long, I just thought WOW…there is another way we might need to look at this!
I can’t say you don’t have a point, but without hope, why pray for our country? We are told to pray for our kings and rulers. Was He wrong to tell us that? Did He dangle the promise of a temporal blessing without a heart to respond? And with regards to your skepticism of believers not seeking His face… do you know that to be a fact? You were right to say that your opinion would not be welcomed by some readers. I do not welcome it, but I respect it. In fact, I have struggled with the same thoughts. But I stand in faith expecting God my Father to do miraculous things. I think He’s doing it now. I believe that we are amidst a supernatural battle between spiritual forces. satan is threatened by the corporate prayers of so many believers, and he’s throwing everything he has at us. But he will not win, and our Father, filled with love, will show us grace and mercy. How that looks, I do not know. But I do know that prayer unleashes a power that is beyond imagining, and anything can happen. Pray unceasingly with me.
Hi Kim! ABSOLUTELY WE SHOULD PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY. 100 percent. And that is part of why I referenced what God told us to do in Jeremiah. Absolutely we should pray for our leaders and pray for our country and not give up.
About believers not seeking His face? Not so much within the IFA community but yes – within the broader Christian community I see plenty of people who consider themselves believers who do not seek His face, or live repentant lives. So part of my hope in writing this was that it would help serve to foster a larger conversation and serve as a conversation starter within the Body.
These are God’s own words that He spoke to Solomon about His land that He separated out/made holy to Himself as far back as Abraham. If it challenges you, what a perfect opportunity to absolutely seek His face on this – press in and ask Him what in this message caused offense so He can have that conversation with you. Let me know what you get back! Iron sharpens iron. I welcome your comments back after you do!
Well stated, Shelley. Thank you for sharing.
We need to stop seeing the church (Ecclesia) as a bunch of people walking in ‘wixked’ ways! This is an Old Covenant word given to a people who lived under the Law of Moses. We do not live under the same law! Read Romans, Galatians, Hebrews… we live under a New Covenant and God does not see us as wicked because of what Jesus did. He sees us as righteous. (Romans 5:19). We are not sinners, we are saints. Paul addresses the Corinthians, who were having big problems, as ‘saints’. Jesus said, ‘I will build my church’, not ‘you have to build my church.‘
On the other hand, He has given to us ‘authority over all the power of the enemy‘ (Luke 10:19), and He has given us dominion over the earth, so maybe it’s time we asked Holy Spirit for wisdom to pray only what God wants us to pray and work with Him and His Word to bring about His will in the earth, not ours!
We do have an enemy who works ceaselessly to bring down the Church along with each one of us. The truth is, he is already defeated and we treat him like he has more power than God! He doesn’t, the only way he can defeat us is by making us agree with him. Remember he’s the ‘father of lies’.
God is NOT responsible for the evil in the world, He is NOT causing havoc in our countries, the enemy is along with the people who play along with him. Remember Paul said ‘we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places’. (Ephesians 6:12j
Rely on Holy Spirit for the words you say and the prayers you pray – after all prayer is supposed to be an exchange of conversation with the Father. Pray in the Spirit.
I find this article a bit strange. Strange because the words of scripture are very easy to understand, like humble ourselves, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Very little words here relate to those of the Word. Where here does the writer admonish us to look to our own behavior over the years to why we are in this difficulty today? Are we, the people of the Book, not responsible to be light and salt? To speak the truth in love over the years and now today? Where is there mention here of specific sins that have multiplied and expanded year by year, taking over everywhere, like abortion, like acceptance of homosexuality and all it brings. Unless the people of God specifically and frequently confess these sins, iniquities, loudly and continually, until their hearts are mourning for the nation we have left to the devil and his cohorts, we shall continue down this road of destruction. LITTLE OR NO HUMILITY HERE! No confession of sins we all have participated in regularly, passively or actively! No seeking His face like those who came before us, hours of prayer and supplication on our faces before the holy God. Have we “turned from our wicked ways”? Where? The church is silent or very quiet. The world cannot hear us because we are so afraid of it that we dare not speak loudly and boldly, as Paul asked the believers to pray for him — and he certainly did, suffering the consequences repeatedly. We should be ashamed of the lukewarmness we portray to all, daily, always watching for our comforts. Sad circumstance! Very sad!
Respectfully, we are the church… and we aren’t silent. Just look at ifapray.com. This is just one example of a mobilizes church intent on seeking the face and favor of our Creator.
What is the author talking about where she says “we are praying for the restoration of the wrong place.”? Her points are quite vague in this article.
Praying for fair election across the USA this november. Lord even In the primaries Lord we pray for the fairs and our rights as voters would not be compromised. In the name of Jesus
Absolutely. Thank Him that He sets leaders over us for blessing or for judgment to help more people come to repentance and back to Him. Judgment is a blessing – doesn’t feel like it at the time but how else would we know that we had somehow gotten officially off track!
Amen Vancouver Washington.
We Love our Country America.
I love our country too. Absolutely. Had two 7 greats back grandpas who fought in the American Revolution.
2 Chronicles 7:14 Note the phrase “AND SEEK MY FACE” that means relationship with Him above all else.
Yes, humble ourselves, pray..AND SEEK MY FACE… (not his hand what He can do, but his face)…a personal relationship and turn from wicked ways (what is that?) Then I will hear and heal…”
Amen Mr. Charles! Amen!
The reason for the silence is that God my Father has had enough of the churches in America and is using me as judgment on this wicked nation. The power in me is God’s judmenent on the nations that have forgotten the LOrd. I carry the mantle of Elijah on my shoulders for 32 years I have been calling and no answer. Where are the belivers since I started send diasters on the nations. You have made your choice and you will be punished. There is no more to say, if you humbly repent then I may reconsider.
Obedience is the key to change the brokenness in America, seek the baptism of the kHoly Spirit and be filled with power. Stop your cowering, go tell the people around to look up and trust in the Lord and obey Him. Go and don’t stop going.
I agree with this.
I’ve been reflecting on this article/post the last couple days: Why shouldn’t we be taken off to a Babylonian captivity! If for the last 60 yrs. 99% of ‘christians’ have been following other gods, why are we surprised? At no time during these past decades has the nation repented like Nineveh! Although we’ve acted as wickedly, has our entire nation repented, prayed and fasted for our corporate sins? No.
So there may well be judgement.
Each of us who has ears need to be ready to go into captivity as Daniel was. The LORD may relent, but in the mean time we should be preparing for the battles… and trials to come.
Do you understand that God gave me the mantle of Elijah and the burden of Moses for a reason, the reason I send diaater after diaster is to warn of judgment on this nation. I am not happy that I eliminated 3 billion people off the earth since Agnes. It pains me to send judgment.
I have no choice because God gave me the power and authority to do it, because He is angry at America and its churches. Now is the time to repent as a nation and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Think about it, would the apostles be happy with the churches in America and the lack of faith Christians have in God. If things continue like this, I will dstroy America completely by the end of this year- that is God’s decision to the wicked churches who fail to please the Lord.
Elia, that must be a tremendous weight. I haven’t been asked to call down judgments on people but I have been asked by the Holy Spirit to engage in corporate repentance for things America has participated in…some things that most Christians have actually participated in with regard to the abortion community and don’t even realize it. They do it every day. So I understand how heavy that can feel.
It can feel very lonely.
But even with that Elijah mantle you may have – consider that Obadiah tucked away 100 prophets in caves and Yahweh reserved 7000 who did not take a knee to Baal. They are out there. When Moses was stressed 70 elders were appointed to spread around some of that heaviness. I encourage you to pray and ask Yahweh to bring those people into your lives to help you carry your assignment.
I have been burdened for a long time because of the judgments that I sent over the years. It has caused me much grief, but the Lord gave me that task. I have been doing His work alone for 32 years with not one Christian relieving me of this burden. Having the mantle of Elijah and the burden of Moses together has brought me frustration and anger.
I greatly forgive the ones who stood silent over the years, but I want to at least know that someone has my back at least once. Thank you for your relpy. I know now that one person has my back. It is overwhelming dealing with people 24/7 for that long of time. I need to know that other people care for those troubled ones like I do.
Julianne – agreed. I agree with this. My sense is that what we are currently experiencing is a clarion call to do just what you have outlined. Or be prepared to go into captivity. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. Sometimes it is a team effort and even if you were the one in the batter’s box hitting home runs for the Lord, if the rest of the team was goofing off, you may still not win that particular game. (if that makes sense…)
Lord, we, your Bride, must admit that we are the ones who must turn from OUR wicked ways, and not point our fingers at others. I Peter 4:7 reminds us that God’s judgement will begin with the family of God; unfortunately are “righteous robes” are soiled.
Amen Carolyn. Our robes are soiled. Blessed are those who wash them (Rev 22:15) through acts of true repentance and following His ways.
Too many “ Christians “ are still living in the dark! IF the recent medical and cultural pandemics could not shake their hearts….I dun know what else can shake them ? I know The Lord will continue to shake the nation(s) till many turn to Him with repenting hearts! So they will know HE IS the God of heaven, God of all salvation and God of Israel!
Without an act of desperation for repentance and turning from the wicked ways, naturally the revival will not come!
Also too many churches continued to remain silence, and not speaking openly the real issues!
Amen.
Shelley, thank you for your question “Why are our 2 Chronicle 7:24 may be unanswered?” First consider the steps in the verse
“If my people,
who bear my name,
humble themselves,
pray
and seek my face,
and turn from their evil ways,
then I will hear from heaven,
forgive their sin,
and heal their land.“
It is plural, my people, who truly humble themselves and desperately seek His face and turn from our evil ways, Then He will, hear, forgive and heal the land.
An example of this happening can be found in the 2011 movie
“ An Appalachian Dawn” that tells of the miraculous healing of Madison Kentucky in the early 2000’s. From daily drug deaths to the drug dealers becoming saved and corruption stopped.
A second example is transformation in Cuidad Juarez Mexico that was the murder capital of the country. A pastor, Poncho Muguia started by praying over the city, then setting up a small table in the park to pray every day. God heard the prayers of humble desperate people and still does heal our land.
Amen and amen, the church concern about self only. The church not focusing on Jerusalem, on what God is doing there. Watch Jerusalem because we will see and understand what God is going and what his desire for us to do.
This is greater than us, Jesus said “watch and pray”
Is the Church doing this.
Thank you for reading and commenting Victoria. We need to keep our eyes squarely on Jerusalem (and Israel) over the coming months. Amen. Watch and pray.
Thank you for your boldness! I have noticed in the media When leaders even pastors have quoted this scripture that everyone I have heard, except for Franklin Graham have left out and will turn from their Wicked Ways this is the key to this scripture. Several weeks ago our Father said to me My children are not listening… I begin to ask Father what are we not hearing you say. And this is the one thing that kept coming back to me so I am in the process of asking and allowing Holy Spirit to show me any and all wickedness in my own heart. And then one night I prayed Lord by your great Mercy humble us who are not willing to Humble ourselves. I live in the middle of a hay field. The next morning when I came outside I noticed something I have never seen before all of the hay in the field was laid low it was like a cover of dew on top of it. I believe it wasa sign to me personally that he had heard my cry and was answering. Our hearts as the body of Christ have got to be aligned with heaven. We know from the word of God that His heart longs for Israel to come home!
Holy Father I asked in your great Mercy pour out a holy fear upon Your children upon me You are a great and mighty God You are worthy of our obedience give us Your mercy and Your grace to humble ourselves to seek Your face and to turn from our Wicked Ways! In Jesus Holy name I ask.
Thank you Melody. I’m glad this resonated with you and how awesome is that about your hay. I love when the Lord speaks to us in such sweet, personal ways that we understand. How He lets us know that He has seen us and heard us.
Good points. It is our responsibility to get in step with Him, not the other way around. I can only do that if I humble myself, repent and seek His forgiveness.
This all came about a couple of weeks ago because I picked up a brochure that had this verse quoted in it- but applied to our country and very clearly heard, “What about My country?” Not that I don’t pray for Israel or for the peace of Jerusalem, I do. But lately in all honesty I had been praying more for things here…and not realizing that by participating in obedience to His requests, I would also be reaping what I sowed into His country potentially in mine. When we are in step with Him and His heart, how amazing that is!
Thank you!
You are welcome, Mark! Thanks for reading it!
The church has been paralyzed by the comforts and convenience of this life.
GOD has taken the building away because men have turned it into kingdoms of their own.
The church does not need the “building” to be the church.
And that’s Why GOD has permitted this church lockdown
Israel – every time something happens to us, we should ask Him – what is the lesson here that you have allowed such and so to occur in my life? Sometimes He answers right away – sometimes it might take 20 years and some we may not know until we die. But I agree, the church (as a whole – not everyone) has gotten pretty comfy out here in the land. Losing our ability to quickly congregate for an hour might help us become more intentional in the way we worship Him in our homes or small groups. It’s an opportunity to grow for sure and we probably need this opportunity for something coming down the road so hopefully people will realize that!
I so wholeheartedly agree. The Lord also brought to my attention that the key word in 2 Chronicles 7:14 ” turn from their wicked ways”…We so often equate the term “Wicked” with some heinous sin. Murder, adultery, etc. Isn’t all sin against the Lord Almighty heinous? Are we grieved when we are selfish, or when we gossip? I pray for us, His church, to be convicted of all that grieves the heart of God. That we would endeavor, with all our might, to live as Jesus told us. May we be as Joseph who was resolute. He would not sin with Potiphers wife. Follow the example of Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abendigo. The would not ” defile” themselves. Oh God have mercy on us.
Hi Zita. Yes. Christ warned us in the Sermon on the Mount that He did not come to abolish the law and that whoever would even relax one of the smallest commandments would be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5) Regularly checking in with the Holy Spirit to ask to be taught how to walk in obedience more and more is a wonderful thing so that when that time comes for serious testing, we are ready to respond as those men of faith that you identfied.
Thank You Adonai.
I am grateful.
LORD You answered Your own prayer for us the moment Jesus heard Holy Spirit’s utterance and spoke it out in faith on the earth.
Hallelujah.
Faithful and True, We love YOU. (Revelation 19:11)
Amen Shawn!
AMEN!!!
Thanks for reading Susan!
Our relationship with Jesus is our top priority. Things will fall into place as we devote ourselves to humility and purity. It may take time to figure out what it means to be an empty vessel for Christ and, of course, it takes unceasing prayer to be cleansed. We cannot empty ourselves through our own power and we cannot fill ourselves through our own power. Both are the work of our Savior. That said, I see much good happening. The Holy Spirit teaches us to discern evil and good. We must always see both.
Amen to all of this Laura. Agreed.
Recently, this is what I have been feeling-the need for personal repentance, personal revival and personal humility. For myself first, then I can rightly “ hear” and pray better for my country.
That is wonderful! It always starts at ground zero of our own hearts…getting those logs out and clearing that land, asking the Holy Spirit to show us what to do with the logs too is part of it. Good for you! Keep doing that! On that right track!
Humility is the key! We have to lay down our own spiritual agendas and pick up our Father’s!
Tara. So true. I think that is why this struck me so hard and I felt compelled to write about this. Yeshua tells us that He only does what He sees the Father doing in John 5. How much better would our lives be if we did that?
The Church is supposed to turn away from evil and humble themselves before God . If we seek the Lord and his righteousness he may respond to our prayers
Jesus said . Ask and you’ll receive, seek and you’ll find , knock and the door will be opened
Richard – absolutely. That is what we are supposed to do. And His Word says that when we are walking obediently in His will – the nations of the earth will be in awe of us. How awesome is that!
“She very wisely said, ‘Perhaps the desires of your heart do not align with His desires for you. Humble yourself, seek Him and ask that He align your heart with His desires for you.’ ”
Is this perhaps where the trouble lies–our self-centered prayers?
What does JESUS want?
What did HE die for?
What would JESUS have us to do?
What would gladden HIS heart?
Mari – I think it is both things. We should bring Him our requests absolutely but we should also spend time listening, and reading and searching out if our requests line up with His ways, His Word and His will. Sometimes we forget to do that – I do anyway. I thought others might as well and that this would help them think about that and recalculate their spiritual GPS. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Prayer should be a conversation between the child and The Father.
What child runs into their father’s presence and tells Him what they want and then turns and runs out of the room without ever giving their father a chance to respond?
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I AM GOD.”
The words of the old hymn says it so well:
“Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.”
As so many souls and mindsets are circling around us with opinions given, We have a choice to Stay the course by being reminded to settle into a calm of His Will Over Our Lives. Close your ears, because no matter what we see From this point forward, The choice to listen to the HolySpirit’s insight to the sight line changes the process of it all.
Tanya – very wise advice. Without that guidance of the Holy Spirit we are going to be in big trouble in the times before us. We have to spend more time listening, less time talking. He has so much to say to us right now to help get us ready.
Yes! I agree. We have been praying and emphasizing this verse since the 70’s but America continues to decline. Why has the LORD not answered and healed our land? It has to be our failure to do more than pray but to consider the other words of the verse…Humble our selves, seek his Face, and turn from our wicked ways. I know the promise of this verse is to Israel. I hoped as a child of God I was counted as one of His people but it had not occurred to me to question the land He would heal.
Cynthia! It hadn’t occurred to me either….and I thought that it was a conversation that maybe we should have as a Body…and then maybe redirect toward His land that He put His name on. Thanks for reading!
Amen. Jesus had to learn obedience and so must we (Heb 5:7-9)…not my will, Lord, but Your will be done.
Amen. On earth as it is in heaven! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
So is the writer saying it’s because we don’t pray for Israel, or don’t long for heaven?
There are 4 things God has put forth for us to DO in this verse of scripture as I read it . And He puts and “IF” at the beginning. He laid out the 4 important things that we are commanded to do. God cannot communicate to a heart [spirit] that is full of sin because His Word is not being obeyed for Him to come into the situation to give us heal in our time of need because we have to turn from sin in order for God to get in there to help us. Obedience overrides sacrifice IF we want our land restored.
Susan! Yes. He says that when we are disobedient, even our prayers might be an abomination! Repentance is so key – especially right now. And even if we personally feel like we are walking in a place of obedience, we absolutely can work on corporate repentance (just like Daniel did in his Dan 9 prayer…and then he found out it was almost time to go home!!) Thanks for reading!
The Lord took me to John 17,
I read it over and over. How Jesus prayed for Himself, that as God Glorified His Son, that Jesus would glorify His Father. And they where one. Then
Jesus prayed for His disciples to be protected from evil and sanctify them in truth. Then
Jesus prayed for All Believers. That we would All be One as Him and the Father are one. That we may behold His Glory. To be Glory carriers.
My prayer is we the Body of Christ become one in Unity of the Spirit of the living God. That we allow by His Holy Spirit
power to flow in His love that covers a multitude of sin. Where His perfect love cast out fear. May we truly bring heaven to earth as Glory carriers to
glorify Jesus that brings glory to the Father. Jesus is praying for His Apostlic government to rise up in authority and power to take back what belongs to the Kingdom of God. We call those fish ( souls) to jump into the boat of salvation. Because we live you Jesus, turn this around for our good, the church, government and the people. In
Jesus Name Amen
Until we recognize the idolatry, broken covenants, bloodshed, and sexual immorality in our own lives and the society we are a part of and repent for ourselves and society as Daniel, Our prayers aren’t heard.
Dennis! Spot on. Absolutely. Then they got to return home. We should all want to run home to Him!
In intercession I kept getting scriptures about unity or division. Jesus said they will know you are my disciplines by your love. At Pentecost they were gathered together and praying in one accord. The Holy Spirit came in power and the gospel was preached in every language that had come to see what the commotion was all about. Peter spoke by the Holy Spirit and 3000 were added to the church from many different cultures. The church continued meeting together with communion, prayer, teaching…The church lived out the gospel and many were saved as others watched. Lord help us to live again by the Holy Spirit, being filled with Your fruits. Being salt and light. Spending quality time with You…Being filled up first with your love to then overflow. Unless we abide in the Vine we cannot bear fruit. Lord help us! We draw close to You and You draw close to us. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying… and a chance to turn so we can be healed and be effective for Your glory, to add to Your family, In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
Beautifully said and the desires of my heart!
Amen Sue! Thanks for reading!
I worked 43 years and exactly one man shared the gospel with me. Maybe we are not willing and obedient as far as sharing the gospel goes
Al – your comment is evidence that we can, and should, do better. Thanks for reading!
‘Despite our prayers, is America getting better?’ No, because we are still doing the same things. We are passing laws that are TOTALLY AGAINST GOD’S WORD. We are treating people as though they are less than animals. When Jesus was talking to His Disciples He told them in essence: What you have done unto the least of these, you have done unto me.’ Are we treating others the way we would treat Jesus? And, how can we say we love God, whom we have not seen and hate our brethren? It is impossible. To proclaim to be ‘One Nation Under God’ seems like mere words with no action. We make a big deal about pledging allegiance to the flag, when we are leaving out God. Are we really ‘One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all?’ One would have had to have fallen onto earth from the farthest galaxy to miss what is happening to our country. We have left our first love and God is not pleased. We have another idol. His name is called MAMMON. God have mercy upon us.
Jacquelyn – I agree with you. Not every one mind you but the majority worship Mammon. When Yahweh told Abraham the end from the beginning He said that He promised him a land – and more children than the stars in the sky. Not wealth or power. His Land, children and a life of walking with Yahweh. That’s blessing.
Wow! Thank you for encouraging us to humble ourselves and get out of our prideful attitudes ! Thanking God for opening my eyes to my selfish prayers and praying for His kingdom to be glorified instead of my selfish desires ….. God bless you friend for speaking out the painful truth
Nan! Thanks for reading. I was kind of nervous like please don’t punch me when I say this but I think it needs to be said. 🙁 It hit me really hard when He disciplined me with it a few weeks ago. I felt like it was something important for us to all consider especially given the current state of affairs so thank you for your comments and encouragement to be brave and just put it out there!
Father God,
Thank you for the article that Shelly wrote. I agree that we have to pray for Israel. To answer Shelly’s question, is USA getting better? Yes, because we are walking back toward God:
1. God give us President Trump despite the odd (91% Hillary supposed to win in 2016)
2. President Trump was being attacked left and right yet he is able to do his job well, building the wall, etc.
3. President Trump support Israel. I’m praying that God will reveal to him more detail to follow up.
4. President Trump signed $50M to promote religious freedom all around the world.
5. President Trump is the only president that I know keeping his campaign promises. That is TRUTH.
6. The Church are not sleeping anymore. We are wide awake and praying without ceasing .. or doing our job.
Those are just at the top of my head. I’m sure you all know more than I do his track record.
However, we are also responsible to pray for our own country where we live in especially with the current situation that are happening. I always pray and hope for the best that I can think of. I’m not going to worry my mind of whether my prayer is according to His will or not. God is a miracle God, God is just too big for our mind to wrap around Him. Most of all, God is a loving father to us, believer, and a loving father wants what is best for his children always. In fact, He has demonstrated that at the cross.
Matthew 7:8-10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
I pray that all of us will stay united in prayer and let God do his job.
I pray those that are called to pray for our country will agree with me to pray President Trump will win by the landslide in November 2020 and he will be given a supportive crew for his 2nd term so that we as a country can go back to be the leader that promote loving God and others. Prayer and the Bible will be back in school from grade school to college. I pray that the Church will never sleep anymore, wearing their complete Armor of God, be bright LIGHT and salty SALT to the world. And ready to help, mentor and lead lost soul toward Jesus.
Let us not weary or trouble with what are happening right now. It’s clearer that the dark forces/spirit are so worry about USA therefore they are in full force attacking in order to cripple the Church (us) with FEAR, ANGER, DOUBT, DISBELIEF. Let us stay Focus on Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who has done his job well and now we are just walking the path that was won and done at the Calvary already.
God bless us and the USA … let us be joyful and keep on kneeling down or sitting down … PRAYING without ceasing.
In Jesus mighty name, we ask and we thank you … Amen.
You are right. God is doing marvelous things. Father, give us eyes to see and ears to hear what you are saying, and hearts to praise your name.
Beautifully said. Amen! We don’t always see what God is up to. I prayed for my dad to be saved for 40 years. He passed to heaven last year being visited by God the last week of his life. He couldn’t wait to see Jesus. Sometimes we battle in prayer for a lifetime before we see the results. That’s why the Word says to not grow weary in well doing. We must remain patient in prayer while also humbling ourselves before our gracious Father.
Thanks for that. I found it hard to disagree with anything you typed.
Thank you for your post. So encouraging!
I must guard what comes out of my mouth and make sure that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart are acceptable in HIS sight!
Father/God, please give me grace to hear Your voice and courage to obey! Amen
J! Thanks for encouraging me right back. I really appreciate it. It does take courage to obey. It sets you apart and makes people think you are odd….even though it can bring such amazing peace into your life which, as far as my complicated life has been, is a huge, huge gift that I am grateful for beyond words! THAT has been great news…restorative peace.
Thank you for truth!
Thank you for your encouragement Theresa! I was nervous and your thanks here will help me be braver next time something is on my heart to share. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Amos 1 speaks about building our own houses while the house of God is neglected. As a result, God puts holes in our baskets and takes away what we have built for ourselves. His building project now is America, and we are not really obeying a Jesus’ command to be salt and light in the earth. So much compromise.
Suzanne, you are correct. There is so much compromise that I see also. A little here, a little there…it’s probably ok if we just…He will understand if we…. It starts out slow and then it snowballs quickly. Thank you for reading and for your comments. And now I’m going to go check out Amos again with new eyes!
Thanks for your reply! You can also check out Lance Wallnau, who has spoken a lot that we are living in the days of Amos, Haggi, Zechariah, Nehemiah and Ezra. Time to built Gods house.
AMEN AMEN AMEN! It is!!! 🙂
Loved the article and the prayers. Agree with all. We may stumble a little on the “humble themselves” of 2 Chronicles 7:14 and meet some resistance from the Father Himself as we proceed without tarrying and meditating on the state of our hearts and minds and our walk with the Lord. Psalm 51 is a beautiful guide to a contrite heart. It is God’s goodness that leads us to repentance from Romans 2:4. It is a good thing to consider “the more excellent way” of 1 Corinthians 13 which is the condition of our heart that must exist in our walk in the Spirit. We must go down to go up, beauty coming from the ashes of repentance, the oil of joy coming from mourning, and the garment of praise coming from the spirit of heaviness. As our roots go down deeper we will be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, and the Lord will be glorified. We can bear fruit. He can heal the land. It is as the Lord asked Sarah when she laughed about having a son at age 90 with her husband at age 100, “is anything too hard for the Lord?” from Genesis 18:14a.
Isaiah 66:1-2 ESV
1. Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool’ what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
2. All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Love to all.
Just last night I felt I should read Zechariah 2, which includes verse 7: “Up Zion! Escape you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.” And the rest is about how God is coming to be a wall of fire and glory in Jerusalem. Israel is definitely the apple of his eye (also in Zechariah 2) and on his heart right now!
Amen! Amen! I remember Friday nights when we had prayer meetings for hours (pastors & staff included) where we were on our knees, or prostrate before the Lord and repenting aloud as He showed us our sin against Him. Amazing what was repented of – things we dismiss as trivial are on Gods heart as impurities to be removed that we be made whole Without spot or blemish and that His Glory can shine to a dark world.
1. “No doubt politicians will unfurl the banner of 2 Chronicles 7:14 again as the battle cry to return to our nation to the glory days.”
– No one is saying that, least of all politicians. If you are referring to MAGA, you should just say so. The Church in America needs to focus on bringing in the harvest. Some do. Many of us focus too much on just our families. Seek first the kingdom is another way to say “if my people.” God has bowls or cups that must be full before He moves either in judgment or blessing. That is a fact.
2. In regard to your accusation that we aren’t praying for Israel, you are just plain wrong. There is a large segment of the Church who does. I hope you’re mind does not require apostate denominations to repent for they may no longer be ‘My people.’
Jesus said seek the kingdom. Who but God knows how full the cups are? It would be better to keep encouraging prayer like most posts from IFA do. I assume most people on this elist know full well we must pray for Israel and seek His kingdom over our own needs. Your accusations fall short.
Hi Linda,
Regarding #1, perhaps you live in a different section of the country than I do. Where I live it is prevalent and it is rolled out extensively during the election seasons. If you haven’t experienced that, keep your eyes peeled for it to roll around this year especially perhaps with all that is going on.
Regarding #2 all I have to say about that is that I absolutely hope that those apostate denominations do repent and come back to The Way because Yahweh is patiently waiting for them to do so, as we all should be as stated in 2 Peter 3:9.
Part of what I had hoped from writing this was that people like you who do pray for Israel would use this as a tool to reach people who perhaps are misusing this scripture and applying it in a way that is out of context…to encourage them to pray for the restoration of His land.
Shelley, I’m a little dense this morning, maybe blinded by selfish fleshly desires and false doctrines drilled into me for a life time. But know, I have been earnestly praying for a long time, for the mind blinding spirit to be canceled, and His truth and will be disclosed and to change me. As I read this, your post, I think, you are referring to our nation’s divergent, or incomplete support of the nation of Israel, partly in the most recent peace offering, proposing to provide the Palestinians a vote and a portion of the “promise land” intended by God for Israel, to the Palestinians. Which I do believe is an error on our nation’s part.
Then I think, well not all, Shelley is conveying a broader message, a complete surrender to God’s will in our lives (the desires of our heart to be conformed to God’s will). Shelley, know, for many years now, I have been hanging on every part of His living Word for wisdom, understanding and discernment (and for my desires to conform to His will). I believe we must be very careful, not to miss out on what God / Jesus / Holy Spirit, are calling each one of us to and how to walk in the Spirit with Him (and I am beginning to understand more clearly, it’s not to get on the street and “protest”, this protesting is worldly righteousness, not God’s).
Just this morning scriptures flooded my personal devotion time and in part in Proverbs 6, 16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. This scripture speaks volumes to the circumstances of today.
Shelley, I personally know, thought to be righteous believers (including pastors), sweeping themselves into these protests, spewing support of and commending the protesters, seemingly prompted by the likely to be wrongful death of one man. But then, deceivers have been murdering countless others, including millions of the unborn, destroyed property, all in violence, claiming justice (really), which are clearly contrary to God’s will and His character. And then these same believers harshly criticize our President and our nation, in a most shameful spewing of hatred and false accusations, again, most contrary to the God’s character and His Word. What happened to Matthew 18, going privately to a person first? So many, thought to be faithful pastors and leaders are feeding the fire, condoning “protests” over one man’s injustice, while totally missing the point. I sincerely believe, according to His Word and His will, God desires all this “protesting” stop! It’s just feeding fleshly self righteousness, and not God’s perfect will. If they were following God’s perfect will, they would cease from protesting, and help one fellow person at a time who has experienced injustice, poverty, or a loss. Now be MOST CAREFUL brothers and sisters, there any many “tares” in the field, deceivers, greedy, selfish individuals wanting. Discern prayerfully, their genuineness, lest you be caught up in their deceptions.
Oh, and yes, my fleshly self righteous anger gets in my way, which is also clearly not consistent with His will. And each time, I come humbly before His throne of grace, confessing and asking for His forgiveness.
Heavenly Father, We need you! We Love you and know that your word is truth and you make no mistakes. Jesus thank you for interceding on our behalf and for the changes that are coming.
Lord help me/us align with your will during this time in our life and history considering that we ALL need to do another self examination as individuals and the body of Christ. In America I believe we still haven’t truly repented nor taken a stand against racial injustice or display the love and word of God truly as believers of Christ Jesus. Lord God thank you that your body (The Church) will begin to look more like you, care like you Jesus.
Lord help us be true about why we haven’t spoken up/out about these injustices. Why our government has encouraged the mistreatment of people of color for many years and yet we’re still seeing this today (deaths of innocent people of color with no justice, the Mexican boarders, children taken away from their parents or guardian, sexual assaults at the boarders with little help for these people, human trafficking, abortions, etc. We are better than this and we can still secure our boards and set laws without the blood of the innocent. Why Lord are our government leadership fighting policies or not establishing policies that would help the majority of the people?) Why has leadership at all levels and colors sat by silently with blinders on? Thank you God for the positive changes to take place in America and around the world considering we have heavy hearts and a true repented hearts. Your people are now crying out ABBA Father, praying and interceding for your will to be done like never before.
I decree this time Lord that I will and your church will show-forth the true character of God and our Lord Jesus Christ and stand on the side of righteousness, justice for all and show the love of God. Thank you Lord God that our hearts and wills align with yours as we continue to allow the Holy Spirit to bring us into all truth. In Jesus name. Amen
Thank you Torrey!
You ask a great question and give a good answer. There are 2 more key parts of the answer: corporate wicked ways, and the season of v. 13.
Thank you so much for reading it Mr. Jim! I appreciate your comments and encouragement.
Christians seem to have forgotten or don’t understand the Good News of the NEW TESTAMENT! Is he really mad at us and trying to get us to see where we have gone wrong as a country? The Christians I know mostly have a heart for Jesus and desperate to do His will. Maybe we have the wrong message! We’ve got good news of His Grace ! Maybe He wants the church to see His Grace and Power that HES ALREADY PROVIDED at the cross . I really love the articles of current events from this website but notice that a lot of Christians living under the old covenant.
their is a great lack of unity in the body of CHIRST THE UNITY IN THE BOND OF PEACE. ALSO TO MANY SEEKER FRIENDLY CHURCHESWITH SEEKER FRIENDLY SERMONS.
We didn’t choose You, You chose us! John 15:16 As we let that sink deep all I can say is how incredible is that?! Father, We see in part and prophesy in part 1Cor.13:9 until Your glorious return. So Father unify us, make us one with each other and You. Creation is anticipating and impatient for the revealing of the Sons and Daughters of God to arise and be revealed! Romans 8:19-20 It is tangible in the earth’s atmosphere! We are being summoned, the Bride is waking! We are called by His Name, and do we understand humbling ourselves? It means submitting to His call, being obedient, and abiding in prayer and seeking His Face-relationship, and turnIng from our wicked ways and repenting. Then He will hear. We feel the birth pains. Labor is intensifying. Father keep our hearts and spirits open and aligned with You! Help those of us who have lived expecting things to be done a certain way start to see with new eyes. Job, who You loved, in his suffering and confusion started to question You and accuse You of not seeing or caring. You came and answered him in ways he never could have dreamed! You also lovingly restored all that had been lost. Father, You are beyond our human comprehension in Power, Might, Beauty, and Glory and You are Love! Let us keep our lamps filled.! In the Beautiful Name of Your Only Son, Yeshua.
I agree.
Have Christians repented from their love of entertainment, spending more time In it than in the scriptures? And their love of the devices, having more enthusiasm for the internet than for cultivating their relationship with God? Do Christian families pray together? Are their children more enthusiastic about Disney characters and Star Wars characters and Harry Potter characters and video game characters than they are about the heroes of the scriptures and godly heroes of history?
Yes, children are.
Entertainment is also a lure and becomes an addiction.
Father we pray for the arts to be redeemed! We pray that you would raise up young men and women who love you and demonstrate your beauty in the arts your creativity in the books that they write your life seems in adventure places to visit!
Father we even pray that Disney world itself would be saved that throngs of people if we get a saved in amusement parks, and all kinds of family places where they never imagined the Spirit of God could be!
Father, would you release your ministry angels, I said harvesters to every place where there are men, women, and children, who are perishing and with a good news of Jesus Christ?!
We repent for replacing You with every empty entertainment, book, website, gadget, and time-sucking activity that pulls us away from You and into darkness.
ABBA, You’re the Goid Shepard who leaves the 99 to rescue the 1-
Do it again, we pray!
Again, and again, and again until your banquet hall is filled and we are ready for the wedding feast!
God has convicted me many times (I am a slow learner) that He is not pleased with me multi tasking while I am communing with Him. He desires all of me tuned to Him. When I obey, I hear Him more clearly, I have strength to overcome trials, joy and His peace passing understanding. I am amazed that the King of the Universe, our Holy God actually wants to commune with me.
Oh, Helen-
This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing-
We’re all convicted of this.
❤️
Lord I pray You will Shepherd the hearts of Your people according to Thy will here on Earth as it is in Heaven. Lord may our hearts be praying without ceasing for those who have not given their hearts to you. For the Widows, the Fatherless, the homeless, those deceived, in rebellion, fearful, lost, searching for Truth. When we repent and with the Holy Spirits help turn from our wicked ways then we Trust Your will to be done. Forgive me Lord for the conditional prayers of restoration for this land or the World. May our prayers be, “Come Lord Jesus,Come.”
Lord prepare the followers of Jesus Christ to go out and make disciples of all people, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all Nations and people. Help us keep focused, pray against the Spiritual battles that is obvious before us and those persons being influenced by it. Revive the hearts of Your people, bring Peace to Israel and have mercy on the people of America. In Jesus name. Amen
Shelley,
Thanks for your post. It is so very true that we put God ahead of ourselves ALWAYS. Too often we are caught up in the affairs of life but haven’t actually thought things through or most importantly prayed. Too often we react before actually THINKING things through. I get what Christians are saying and trying to understand when it comes to 2 Chronicles 7. We know that this was written for the Jewish people and their need to listen and obey God. If My people… I believe that we, Christians who have been grafted in with God’s elect, can hold on to this verse (text). We should always keep our eyes on Jesus and stay focused. We know who is prowling around looking to devour. I’m praying for America, but also for the whole world. We, they, all need Christ as Savior. Mankind is MESSED UP (SIN). His only answer is Jesus Christ. We must run our thoughts and ideas (political, spiritual, cultural) through the grid of Scripture. We must engage people with a biblical worldview. TRUTH first. What is TRUTH? Jesus said it, I am the way the TRUTH and the life. PRAY PEOPLE. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Not My will, but Yours.
Thank you 🙏, what needed insight at this time!! Bless you for making us “woke” on this through His wisdom on this- it’s spot-on! We ARE all in this together, thank God He is leading us through. Now is the time to be active in the harvest!
Peace and blessings to you,
Thank you Lauran. I appreciate your encouragement!
Truly a worthy reflection.
Thank you Lynne..Thanks for reading and for your thoughts here. I was just dumbstruck when I thought about this the other day…and thought how easy it is for us to make what He wants all about what we want instead. It’s something to consider and seek Him on I think.
Hmm… I have a different take on this.
I think the current turmoil may be an answer to those prayers. Just because things are not smoothly getting better does not mean that we’re on the wrong path. These ‘birth pangs’ may be necessary.
Everyone is waking up. We’re seeing the Left for what it is. We’re seeing the news media incite violence. The 2nd amendment debate? Done. We’re not only keeping our guns, but we’re buying more. And the Left has only itself to thank for that.
I admit I am not seeing huge spiritual improvement. However, I am seeing a lot of bad within the Body that seems to be rising to the surface. Perhaps this is needed.
So, maybe all of this is the beginning of birth pangs. And, maybe it’ll be a long labor period, such that we all do not witness America’s turnaround in our lifetimes. Or, maybe not. But, these difficulties all seem to be the evil that’s been festering for decades that was trying to lay low, finally becoming overconfident and revealing its dark underbelly. And, this revealing may be needed before the purging can take place.
Maybe.
If not, then I don’t know what God’s doing. But, I still say we continue to pray for spiritual and political and cultural revival in the United States, as we seek God in our personal lives for the increasing sanctification He promises.
Blow the trumpet in Zion,it’s time for the church to rise awake from their slumber. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered the battle belongs to the Lord! But we must walk by faith and not by what we see or hear. Time is short so let us lay aside every weight and the sin that would so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. God is working behind the scenes so let’s us not become weary in well doing for in due season we will reap if we faint not. God is greater than any problem we face!
Keith,
Well said brother and I think worthy of reflection. Let us all take on the courage that God encouraged Joshua with and face and fight this battle on our knees. He is the Lord of Hosts and worthy to be praised.
Keith, I have had this same revelation!!! A lot of us who “bear his name” have been praying for an awakening. I believe God has answered that prayer by allowing all of these events. On December 31, at 11:59 I said 2020 will be a year of clarity to my husband. We must be shown and convicted of just how much we have forgotten our first love and replaced Him with a dual life. We say we are Christians, and yet we live a secular lifestyle. I believe God is preparing the soil, and expects His Church to start sowing the great Seed that is the Gopsel of Jesus Christ. His harvest will be plentiful!!! “Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:38
I just hope we’re right.
Keith, it really doesn’t even matter if you are “right”. When your Hope is in the LORD, you have nothing to lose! Because, Our Father is faithful to His children, whatever happens! Shalom shalom shalom.
Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for the wonders You show us and I know those are only a faction of the wonders You are accomplishing that we have yet to see! You are the Awesome One, and Your name is Miracle. Hallelujah! In Jesus’mighty name, I pray and lift You high. Amen!
Severe pruning?
Ya know, I’m not sure yet. I think this clarification that we’re getting is helping us all to see the severity of the problem, at the very least.
I am seeing things and hearing things from within the Church that have surprised me. Christians who are angrily protesting any church that disobeys lockdown orders, Christians embracing this ‘systemic racism’ nonsense (my own church has done this and I left it), churches supporting same-sex marriage, so-called transgenderism, etc…
I am seeing and hearing things from political conservatives that have stunned me. Nikky Haley, Carly Fiorina, and others whom I trusted jumping on the systemic racism bandwagon, Leftist mayors, AGs and governors who are APPROVING of the riots and “CHAZ”, news media personalities who are essentially calling for a revolt (they passively approve of the riots, antifa, incite racial tensions, etc.)…
The dividing lines are becoming clearer and clearer. I am not sure where this leads or how this helps, but it some sense I think it may. Pruning? Cleansing and healing of the infected areas? Both? Stimulating a massive return to what I’ll call “Americanism”? Not sure. How this helps the Church achieve a 4th great awakening I am unsure of as well.
But, I think it is good we see the degree of the infection. At the very least, we know how bad things are and how far we have to go. And, we have more specific things to aim our prayers at.
May the Lord forgive us of all our sins for we all have sinned and we rend our hearts, not our garments.
Hello Shelley,
I believe you were correctly praying for the nation of America. May I offer, however, the direction our prayer should take instead of some abstract ‘Jerusalem’. The real heart of God has always been encapsulated in the 58th chapter of Isaiah. This is the kind of heart God was directing you to by your sister when gently nudged you toward His perfect will. It is with this type of heart that the Jerusalem of God will find it’s way here among us and so the word of the can flow from it freely to heal and rule the nations. May this be your prayer. I join with you so together we will deliver the groaning creation. Love you. Keep the faith.
Absolutely! Thank you Mr. Louis. I love Isaiah 58. Our family began honoring His Sabbath a few years ago and everything has changed. Everything. It has helped us to begin redeeming the time..since the days are evil…and our hearts have definitely changed. I love v. 12-14 especially. I want to be a repairer of the breach and have spent the last 22 years on a very odd part of the wall…that has been exhausting with all of the horn blowing, but God brought it into relevance just over the last few months.
We definitely have a breach. We definitely need His help to repair it!
Amen Miss Caroline! Thank you!
We cannot divide Israel! He will divide our land too if we continue to divide Israel.
100% True! Amen.
At the very least we will receive a correction from His hand.
This is super concerning to me as well. Pretty clear in His word how He feels about moving your neighbor’s boundaries much less the boundaries that He set for the nations probably for very good reasons.