Read: 2 Chronicles 7:12-22; 1 John 5:14-15
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves . . . then I will hear from heaven. (2 Chron. 7:14)
If you have memorized one verse in the two books of Chronicles, it’s probably today’s key verse. This verse is often picked for national prayer breakfasts applying “my people” to the people of the United States or other modern nations. However, “my people” would best apply to ancient Israel or to the New Testament church as the people of God.
The context around verse 14 shows us how to better understand this verse. God comes to Solomon in the night and answers the king’s intercessory prayers from chapter 6. God promises if the people humble themselves and seek God’s face, he will be present at the temple and hear the prayers of the people. Before we jump to the conclusion that God will always do the same for us with our list of intercessions, we need to go further back in Chronicles when God says to Solomon “Ask what I shall give you” (2 Chron. 1:7). Solomon chose the gift of wisdom. God gave him what he asked in prayer because evidently Solomon’s character had been shaped by God’s character.
God likewise answers our prayers, as 1 John teaches, because we’re shaped and formed by God’s character: “If we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
As you pray, ask God to form your heart and character so your prayers are kingdom-centered rather than self-centered.
About the Author
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland Michigan.
