As we embark upon this special time of fasting and prayer I want to encourage you to remain consistent. There is great benefit and reward that is connected to fasting and praying!
Today, we will use 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a scripture in which we can derive (4) very important principles of prayer.
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 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.
1. THE REVELATION OF RELATIONSHIP – “If my people, which are called by my name” It is very important to view God in the proper way when we go to him in prayer. He calls us his people. We are his children and he is our heavenly father that deeply loves us.
Go to God with the revelation that he really does love you, you are his child and he wants you to come to him in prayer daily.
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMBLING OURSELVES – “shall humble themselves” It is important to have the proper heart posture in prayer. Our existence and total dependence is upon God. We can’t do anything without him. We absolutely NEED HIM every day and in every way. This is the absolute truth! An honest recognition and acknowledgement of who God is in our lives is important. Pride has no place in prayer. The bible teaches us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)
James 4:6 (KJV)
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Humility is demonstrated in various ways. One way that we humble ourselves is with fasting (abstaining from food). Fasting suppresses and humbles our flesh. (The part of us that is enmity with God. Romans 8:5-8)
Fasting is a very effective way to humble our flesh. Which in turn causes our prayers to be more effective by helping to rid our selves of unbelief and carnality. (Psalms 35:15)
3. HAVING A SINCERE DESIRE FOR GOD – “Seek my face”
God wants us to seek him and not just only seek after what he can give to us or what he can do for us. God wants a real relationship and daily walk with him. As a result of relationship and intimacy of fellowship with God, will new things be birthed and rewards released in our lives. It takes faith to press through our feelings and seek God regardless of our current situations. Seeking God is never wasted time or effort. It always greatly benefits us to seek God. A few ways that we can seek God is by praying, fasting, worshiping and reading and studying his Word.
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
4. THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE – “and turn from their wicked ways”. True repentance does not only mean to say, “I am sorry”. True repentance is to humbly acknowledge and confess our wrong and then turn away from it. If we have not turned from it, then we have not truly repented.
Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
When we practice these (4) principles, the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is that God will cause healing in our land. Which symbolizes healing our lives.
God is ready and is waiting for us!
Join us in prayer this evening Monday October 4th on Facebook Live at 7PM CST.