ATTITUDE IN PRAYER
ATTITUDE IN PRAYER
By: Obeten Okoi Oka, PhD
Text
13 “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,
14 “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.
15 “Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.
(2 Chr. 7:13-15)
OUTLINE
- PREAMBLE
- THE RIGHT ATTITUDE IN PRAYER
- SUMMARY
1. PREAMBLE
2 Chronicles 7:13-15 is a well-known passage that offers guidance and wisdom, especially when things are not going right with us and our nation.
2. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE IN PRAYER
The valuable attitude we must portray in a time like this.
2.1 Humble Ourselves
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves…”
God’s people have a responsibility to seek Him and follow His ways.
Humility is the first step toward spiritual growth and renewal. It involves recognizing our limitations, weaknesses, and dependence on a higher power.
2.2 Fervent Prayer
“…and pray…”
Communication with the divine is essential for seeking guidance, forgiveness, and strength. Through prayer, we express our needs, desires, and gratitude to a higher power, fostering a deeper connection with the divine.
2.3 Seeking God’s Face
“…and seek my face…”
Seeking God’s face implies seeking intimacy and closeness with the divine. It involves earnestly desiring to know and experience God’s presence, wisdom, and love in our lives.
2.4 Turn from Wicked/Evil Ways
“…and turn from their wicked ways…”
Turning away from sin and seeking forgiveness is necessary for spiritual revival.
Repentance and turning away from sinful behaviour are crucial for spiritual renewal and restoration. It requires acknowledging and confessing our wrongdoing and actively striving to live according to God’s principles of love, justice, and compassion.
2.5 Promise of Restoration
“…then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
God is faithful to forgive those who genuinely repent and seek His face.
God’s promise of forgiveness, healing, and restoration is conditional upon our obedience and faithfulness. When we earnestly seek God and align our lives with His will, He responds with grace, mercy, and restoration.
When God’s people obey and follow Him, He blesses and heals their land, their lives, and their relationships.
3. SUMMARY
The message 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 reminds us of our responsibility to seek God, humble ourselves, repent from sin, and trust in His faithfulness to forgive and bless us.
This passage emphasizes the importance of humility, prayer, repentance, and obedience in experiencing spiritual renewal and restoration in our lives and communities.
Let us approach our prayer lives with renewed zeal, repentance, and commitment, the Lord will hear us. Amen.
Stay blessed.
