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[Hebrews 12:11]; I Timothy 2:1-4; II Chronicles 7:14; I Chronicles 29:1-11; Matthew 6:8-13; I Chronicles 29:11-28; II Chronicles 29:1-36; 30:1-27

May 2 is a day set aside as a National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer is a time to make intercessory prayer for our leadership, to seek the will of our God, and to mourn for sin and repentance which brings about the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Prayers from our hearts for individuals in authority bring about quiet and peaceable lives. This does not mean the entire world will be peaceful, but that WE will have that quiet and peace. We pray that the Word can have free course.

II Chronicles 7:14 says "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." "If" is conditional. The condition is humility — a total dependence upon God for everything. We are surrounded by wickedness, and have a constant need of refreshing in God’s presence. But we must have godly sorry in order to repent and want to seek Him. We can turn ourselves around and reestablish that communication with God. We are to humble ourselves and pray. Our forefathers understood these principles. While for many prayer is a daily habit, not all people live that way and have to be reminded or given a specific day on which to be more mindful of prayer.

David led his people by example including in how he gave for the Temple. His greatest leadership, however, was in the area of looking to and having reverential awe for God. When people asked Jesus to teach them to pray, they were not looking for religious repetition, but wanted to know how to pray with heart. Jesus gave them an example of how to do that in what is commonly referred to as the "Lord’s Prayer." This is a personal prayer.

God has given us everything. Whatever we return to Him is merely a portion of what He has given us. David understood that. Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the people when he could have asked for wealth, long life and power. God exalted him and gave him what he asked for, as well as those things he did not request.

When Hezekiah became king, he set the affairs of Jerusalem in order. The first thing he did was to open and sanctify the house of God and to reestablish God and His Word in the ministers. Then he reestablished proper worship. He began immediately and knew exactly what to do. He had a "master plan" for the realignment of priorities of God’s people. He started with the leadership, then involved the people themselves. What follows is revival! When there is first repentance, then God will work. When people turn from God, He has no choice but to let them go. Because of the people’s decision to turn back to God, He was able to protect them against seemingly insurmountable odds when they were attacked by an invading army. He is the same God today. On our National Day of Prayer, let’s get involved and invite others to join us in prayer as well.


#269 When A Humble Nation Prays -- April 28, 2002 ©2002 / Steven A. Michels 74:22 minutes
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"When A Humble Nation Prays" -- Rev. Steve Michels [Hebrews 12:11]; I Timothy 2:1-4; II Chronicles 7:14; I Chronicles 29:1-11; Matthew 6:8-13; I Chronicles 29:11-28; II Chronicles 29:1-36; 30:1-27 May 2 is a day set aside as a National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer is a time to make intercessory prayer for our leadership, to seek the will of our God, and to mourn for sin and repentance which brings about the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Prayers from our hearts for individuals in authority bring about quiet and peaceable lives. This does not mean the entire world will be peaceful, but that WE will have that quiet and peace. We pray that the Word can have free course. II Chronicles 7:14 says "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." "If" is conditional. The condition is humility — a total dependence upon God for everything. We are surrounded by wickedness, and have a constant need of refreshing in God’s presence. But we must have godly sorry in order to repent and want to seek Him. We can turn ourselves around and reestablish that communication with God. We are to humble ourselves and pray. Our forefathers understood these principles. While for many prayer is a daily habit, not all people live that way and have to be reminded or given a specific day on which to be more mindful of prayer. David led his people by example including in how he gave for the Temple. His greatest leadership, however, was in the area of looking to and having reverential awe for God. When people asked Jesus to teach them to pray, they were not looking for religious repetition, but wanted to know how to pray with heart. Jesus gave them an example of how to do that in what is commonly referred to as the "Lord’s Prayer." This is a personal prayer. God has given us everything. Whatever we return to Him is merely a portion of what He has given us. David understood that. Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the people when he could have asked for wealth, long life and power. God exalted him and gave him what he asked for, as well as those things he did not request. When Hezekiah became king, he set the affairs of Jerusalem in order. The first thing he did was to open and sanctify the house of God and to reestablish God and His Word in the ministers. Then he reestablished proper worship. He began immediately and knew exactly what to do. He had a "master plan" for the realignment of priorities of God’s people. He started with the leadership, then involved the people themselves. What follows is revival! When there is first repentance, then God will work. When people turn from God, He has no choice but to let them go. Because of the people’s decision to turn back to God, He was able to protect them against seemingly insurmountable odds when they were attacked by an invading army. He is the same God today. On our National Day of Prayer, let’s get involved and invite others to join us in prayer as well.