Psalm 85:6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Psalm 80:18-19 Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
Devotion
It is understood that 2 Chronicles 7:14 is addressed specifically to Israel. That is true. But surely the passage shows God’s heart for any people, any land.
What does God want from us? First, we must humble ourselves. We must admit that God is God and we are not. We must submit to God and come to Him in brokenness and repentance.
2 Chronicles 7:14: 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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Second, we must pray and seek God’s face. No revival or awakening comes without prayer. Extensive prayer. Fervent prayer. Corporate prayer. Continual prayer.
It should be noted that the prayer here is focused on seeking God’s face and not God’s hand. We are seeking God for Himself and not for what He gives us. We are locked in on God’s glory, not on our need.
Third, we must turn from our wicked ways. God wants obedience, not religious ceremony. We cannot just say the words of repentance and pray the prayers of repentance. We must do the deeds of repentance and obey God in every part of life.
If we do these three things, then God promises to respond in three ways. First, He will hear us. He will hear those prayers. Second, He will forgive our sin. He will remove our sin as far as the east is from the west. And third, God will heal our land. He will pour out His favor and blessing upon us.
Reflection
During this time of prayer and fasting, have you humbled yourself before God?
How will you continue having a humbled state before God when our 21days of prayer and fasting end? Is there a practice you can commit to, such as kneeling before Him at the beginning of everyday to recognize Who He is?
How will you continue to pray and seek God’s face when our 21 days are over?
Prayer
Father, I pray for a marketplace revival to sweep through our community and for revival to break out in Your streets, in schools, government, business, media, entertainment, and congregations – especially in Your congregations as we are reflecting who You are. I ask, Lord, that You raise up dedicated Christians who will become a voice to reform our region and to make a difference in the lives of all who live here.