Time to Pray

2 Chronicles 7:13-15

 Intro: Prayer is mentioned 262 times in the O.T.  And 68 times in the New Testament. If there was ever a time to pray for our nation, it is now.  The power released in prayer is greater than the explosion of any bomb. I believe all Christians should benhristians have been lax in prayer for our nation. We have the most powerful force accessible to mankind in the form of prayer. It’s time to put this most powerful force of prayer to work by using our faith in God that He will bring revival to our nation when we pray.  We prove our love and faith in God by the time we spend in prayer. Much prayer means much faith. Little prayer, little faith!

I. God’s judgment comes when a nation sins. 2 Chronicles 7:13 (NKJV) When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people.

 a. Judgment comes in different forms. We see God’s judgment beginning in our nation right now. The extreme weather conditions, floods, droughts, riots, same sex marriage, abortion, Isis, finances.

 b. Purpose of God’s judgments.

          1. To turn people back to Him. God promised Solomon that if His judgment (by drought, locusts, or a plague-epidemic) should fall on the nation for their sin, they need only turn to the Lord in earnest humility and repentance and they would find forgiveness and restoration. So will we if we turn!

II. God’s promise is conditional  2 Chronicles 7:14a (NKJV)     If My people who are called by My name.

  a. The stipulation for God’s promise is faith in action. If we who   are God’s people do not call on Him, there will be no prayers for God to answer. It is time to pray.

We have no one to blame but us. Just complaining and griping will change nothing. 

 III. The actions needed. 2 Chronicles 7:14b (NKJV)  must humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways,

  a. God’s people must humble themselves. Humble means to be courteously respectful: not proud or arrogant, to destroy the independence, power, or will of yourself. The source of all of our problems is pride. We think we know better than God what will make us happy. It’s that pride that causes us to be disconnected from God on a personal level, a church level, and a national level. We the people cannot save ourselves. Neither can any government or body of governments such as the U.N. 

  b. God’s people must pray with tenacity.  Prayer is spiritual communication with God. It is talking to Him. Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)  Continue) earnestly in prayer, being vigilant (watchful) in it with thanksgiving; Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. God wants us to pray and refuse to give up. He wants us to pray with persistence. We simply give up too soon. That’s why we don't see answers. That’s why America doesn't see the widespread healing of the land the Bible talks about in this verse.

                        c. God’s people are to seek His face. This means a serious setting of our mind and focus on Him. You don't just seek God in your spare moments. It has to be our primary focus at every opportunity. Colossians 3:1-2 (NKJV) ¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. We are not to be overly focused about the things of earth, but look to God & His word. God doesn’t want to be in second place. He wants to be our passion, an active part of our lives.  If God is going to bring healing to our country, our churches have to be full of people truly seeking him.

   d. God’s people must turn from our wicked ways.  Who here hasn't found themselves straying far from God at some point in your life? God is not talking to sinners but His people. America is in deep trouble right now. If God is going to judge America, he'll start with us. He’ll start with his people. National healing will also start with us. America will not be healed because we passed a certain law. Healing won't happen because we elect the right people to government positions. Literally, turn from means to change your mind, to change how you think. To turn from the way you are going that God is not pleased with. When we repent, we change the way we think about ourselves and God. We change the way we think about our values, other people, our past, our present, and our future. Turning simply means to change our mind about something and then take steps to change it. Prayer is that first step!

  IV. God’s promise.

   a. God will hear our prayers and petitions from Heaven. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

   b. God will forgive our sin. Sin is the problem in America today. When we meet the conditions that God has laid out for us, He will keep His promise to forgive us of our sins because God sent Jesus to earth to die on the cross and God has raised Him from the dead so we could be forgiven.

   c. God will heal our land. God can and will turn this nation around if we do what He says. If we don’t like what is going on in America, then we must seek God in prayer. Will you join millions of other Christians to pray for America? Will you put your faith to work and pledge to pray for one year?

INVITATION: Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord? If not now is the proper time to do that. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins against God and invite Him into your life to take charge of you and help you to live for Him! Ask Him to help you be faithful to pray!