Chronicles Chapter 7: Verse 14 (NIV)
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Daniel Chapter 9: verses 18-19 (NIV)
Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
Daniel recognised that the people of Israel were in the position of exile and defeat because of their sin and disregard for God. God had done as He had warned He would if they didn’t follow His ways. Although they were God’s chosen people, Daniel also knew they had no right to ask for God’s help but he was willing to pray to God on their behalf and ask God to intervene. At the time he prayed this the majority of the people would have shown no interest in the things of God. But Daniel’s heart was touched and he believed and trusted that God could turn things around.
The majority of people that we come across today are not interested in the things of God, even with the state of things that are going on, they look for answers anywhere else but turning to God. But if we humble ourselves and pray, even if no one else does, and have the same belief and trust as Daniel, then God can move even through our prayers, not because we are righteous, as Daniel says, but because His mercy is everlasting. Am I willing to make the effort to humble myself and pray? God is looking for people who are.
Dear Lord,
Keep my heart and conscience open to Your leading and make me willing to make the effort to humble myself and pray that You would once more show Your mercy on this land and those who currently show no interest in following Your ways. I ask in Jesus’ Name, knowing that He too prayed for us. Amen.