“Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Men ought always to pray and not to faint. (Luke 18:1) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.” (Matthew 21:13)

There are so many Scriptures regarding prayer. The disciples watched the Master and listened as He prayed to the Father. “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1) Jesus ever our example!

It is called the Lord’s Prayer, but I see it as the Disciple’s Prayer. Jesus gave His Church the model for prayer. From this prayer, the disciples learned how to pray the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man that would avail much. (James 5:16) From the Bible we are taught how to pray in “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks.” We are told who needs our prayers, it is to “be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority.” Lastly, we are told why, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) However, it does not end there. We are to pray for one another. (James 5:16) We are to pray for people upon remembrance of them, giving thanks for them. (Philippians 1:3-4) Jesus told us to pray the Lord of the harvest, to send laborers into the fields of harvest! (Matthew 9:38) There is always someone to pray for, and situations that need God’s intervention.

2 Chronicles 7:14 started to gain popularity in the world recently, but the interest seems to have stalled. This is not a verse that stands alone. There is a whole record that goes with this one verse and when rightly divided it is put into true perspective. If we go back to 2 Chronicles chapter five, we will understand. This is the dedication of the temple that Solomon built. God was already present with them as they began to worship and praise Him. He came to them in the thick cloud, and His presence was so mighty and powerful, “that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.”  (2 Chronicles 5:14)

In the midst of the court, King Solomon stood upon a brazen scaffold he made “and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven”, (2 Chronicles 6:14) and then prayed a mighty prayer. It was one of thanksgiving, acknowledging the greatness and sovereignty of God, and intercession for the Israelites. Fire came down from heaven after this prayer “and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.” (2 Chronicles 7:1)Once again, the priests could not enter the house of the Lord because the Lord filled His house with His glory!

We then find God appearing to Solomon by night with His answer to him. God is plain in His word to Solomon. They are recorded and no doubt addressed in the ears of the people. We read “For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.” He tells Solomon “Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” (2 Chronicles 7:15-16)

Now we come to the verse that has become so popular.   “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;” IF…

“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.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

It is a continuation of the theme that had gone on for hundreds of years. The people would rebel and sin. Great trouble and sorrow would come to them because of their disobedience. They would cry out to God in desperation. God in His great mercy and true to His word, would rescue them. And on it goes. Until they rebel one time too many and are taken into captivity. Oh, but even then, God had mercy, and still does all the way to the fullness of times when Jesus comes into the world! (Galatians 4:4) He is still faithful!

Oh, the glorious privilege of prayer! To think that the Creator of all things, the Great I Am, invites us to come boldly before His throne and talk to Him! Do we comprehend the magnificent honor we are afforded?  It cost our Saviour His life.  It is so mighty a thing that, upon Him giving up the ghost, the veil of the Jewish temple was torn from top to bottom, so that WE can come to Him! We can commune with Him and share everything that is in our heart. Our God invites us to seek His face and call upon Him while He is near. Let us never feel that to pray is drudgery. Prayer is not always easy. In fact, it can take a lot out of you. Oh, but what a lot it can take out of you! Prayer, tempered with the word, will cause us to become that perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13) Brothers and Sisters, we have the Holy Ghost to guide us, and He even helps us to pray! (Romans 8:26-27) We are not alone!

Let us examine ourselves. Are we humbling ourselves? Are we turning from our wicked ways? Are we seeking His face? I believe we are praying but are we praying? “I’m sanctified”, you may say, ”I have no wicked ways to turn from.” While much can be expounded regarding that statement, I would remind us that while we are the Body of Christ, we are members in particular. (1 Corinthians 12:27) A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9) There are so many in need inside the Church, the Body of Christ.  It seems as if the needs of those outside of Her are falling by the wayside. This should not be, we are His hands and feet.! Oh, that we would be in such a place that the fire would fall from heaven and God’s glory would be so heavy and powerful that it would knock us down in awe! We are called The Church of God, we must BE The Church of God, in every attribute and calling. God is calling us, “my people” to come up higher, closer. There is much to be accomplished and it will take much prayer and we must have the consecration and dedication needed to see it all come to fruition. Many in the Church are looking for answers, for deliverance. How much more are the needs of the people in the world, who are lost, who feel hopeless, and are entangled in bondage to sin? They need their Saviour!

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14