05/11/20 THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: REACTIONS—Last Thursday was our annual NDOP. All day long, on TV and Internet, pastors were quoting 2 Chronicles 7:14. The vast majority concluded that ALL we needed to do was PRAY and God would answer and FIX this entire mess; in fact, they practically guaranteed that God promised to make things BETTER than ever before as soon as we pray. I know I sound like a grouch, but THAT’S NOT TRUE!

          First, v.13 says IF God has caused this trouble in order to Alarm, Alert, Discipline or Punish HIS PEOPLE, THEN… It seems as if these TV folks have NEVER considered that possibility! Next, the audience is GOD’S PEOPLE, those CALLED BY HIS NAME—the Jews in the OT. It COULD be that this passage applies to Christians today; let’s assume that—God is speaking to Christians in America (and the world)! IF that’s the case, THEN WHAT do WE need to DO? 1) Humble Ourselves—Stop acting like we’re in charge or have anything under control; 2) Pray; 3) Seek God’s Face—Long for Intimate Fellowship with Him; and 4) Turn from Our Wicked Ways. THEN GOD WILL Hear from Heaven, Forgive Our Sins and Heal Our Land!

          I strongly suggest we do EVERYTHING God mentioned above as we pray for relief from all our woes—health, economic, etc.!