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.
We talked last time about humbling ourselves before God. Admitting that we can't change the things going wrong with our nation without submitting ourselves to him being willing to change according to his ways and acknowledge him in all things. The next part of the verse talks about praying and seeking.
In a humble spirit we must pray. Prayer is asking of God and listening as He speaks to our Spirit and through His Word. This should flow into seeking Him. We may be tempted to simply throw out petitions for certain things we or our nation need much as a young child simply voices his desires, but there is much more. Prayer that seeks His face desires to know God and to look for more than what voicing a request provides. A child might want to go on a trip with friends and may voice that request ,but really seeking his parent would involve a wiliness to listen and desiring to share a back and forth that would create a sharing of hearts that would allow them to receive the wisdom of their parents on the issue as well as their heart toward them...another words it brings an intimacy that allows them begin to know their parents. The great thing about this is that our Father in Heaven draws near to us when we draw near to Him and He desires to share His heart with us. When we ask of the father let it be deeper than the desire of the manifestation of our request....in the asking seek to know Him and His love for you.
Here are some verses to ponder. God is waiting for you to seek Him and desire to know Him.
Matthew 7:7-8Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.…
Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 37:1-7 (read the whole Psalm at biblegateway.com )
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
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