Day 22
Humility in Prayer
As we look again at II Chronicles 7:14, we discover that all of the elements of this verse are linked and flow together. In other words, you can’t have one element of this verse without the others. Take for example humility, which we discussed in the last chapter. God said in this verse, (II Chronicles 7:14), “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray.” We see that humility and prayer go hand in hand. You can’t have true prayer apart from humility; and apart from humility we will not pray-at least not a prayer that God will honor.
We pray for many reasons. We should pray when we are happy or when we’re sad, when we’re hurting or when we’ve been healed, when we’re in need or when we have an abundance. We pray because we are in need. We are either in need of asking God for provisions or we are in need of giving God praise. Both of these are acts of humility. To admit to God that we stand in need of asking is an act of humility. We have come to the conclusion that we are not self-sufficient and are truly in need of that which we cannot provide for ourselves. To give God the praise for the provision is also an act of humility, realizing that He is the only one who can provide.
In our rebellion of independence and self-sufficiency, we neglect to turn to God in prayer. In like manner, our churches so often fail to lift up the needs of the church ministry or the ministers who serve-not to mention the greatest need which is the lost and un-churched of the community in which God has placed that church. Sure, we pray because that is what we are supposed to do. But, have our prayers become meaningless ritualistic routines based upon tradition, rather than that of totally dependent children calling out to their loving Father? A father is one who is waiting in anticipation to hear the voice of His child and act accordingly? Have our prayers lost the compassion of Christ, being broken-hearted over the complacency of the church and the lost condition of the community, compelling us to call out to the Father?
So often we jump right into our planning process with our organizational skills, ready to get the ball rolling in whatever plans we have made for ourselves. However, we fail to recognize that this is exactly what they are-plans we have made for ourselves. If we want the hand of God’s blessing on our lives, we must discover what God’s plans are. God has said in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD.” How then do we discover what God’s plans are for our lives? James 1:5 says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” That is a promise straight out of the Word of God that we can stand on.
The most aggressive, well-planned, thoroughly organized, and fully staffed evangelistic programs will not reclaim the land for the Lord. Nor will the most educated minister, nor the most well-funded ministries, nor the most active and zealous congregation redeem the land for the Lord. Only the people of God who choose to tap into the power of God by humbly calling on God and whole-heartedly leaning on God would see the land redeemed.
There is no doubt that the Apostle Paul was a powerful warrior in God’s army. God used him in phenomenal ways. However, Paul knew exactly where his power came from. He asked the church in Ephesians 6:19 to “pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” He understood that if he stood to preach the Gospel in his own power, he would fail miserably. He needed the people of God praying for him. If we will ever see this world won over with the gospel message of the Lord Jesus Christ, it will happen only with the people of God standing up in God’s anointing that has come through the prayers of God’s people in total and complete dependence on the power of God.
Day 22 Prayer Guide
- Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
- Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
- Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
- Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
- Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
- Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
- Pray that God would reveal prideful attitudes of self-sufficiency and bring about repentance.
- Pray that Christians will know the importance of intercessory pray and walk in it.
- Pray that God would raise up prayer warriors with a heart for revival in our churches and a great awakening in our land.
- Pray that our churches will be houses of prayer.
- Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
- Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
- Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
- Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
- Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
- Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
- Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
- Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
- Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
- Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
- Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.
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