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Learning With Solomon: Praying For Revival  

Solomon started off his rule in Israel with a bang. He was everything God and his people wanted in a king – humble, godly, wise, capable, hard-working, intelligent, gifted, peaceable, passionate. And so the list goes on. The fledgling nation of Israel was poised on the edge of a golden age and God had gifted them a brilliant king. Israel had the best and brightest leader in the world. But God knew that there would still be rocky times ahead. Humility would turn to pride, thankfulness would turn to arrogance, achievement would lead to independence. And consequently, God’s approval and support and blessing would turn into disapproval and reprimand and abandonment. But God promised Solomon a way back for his people from this disastrous state of affairs when it occurred. He gave Solomon a pathway to renewal and revival that applies to God’s church today. 

Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:11-16

Comment

The main theme of this passage is God’s attention to prayers in his new Temple. He loved the place and promised, “My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place” (7:15). Of course, we don’t need to go to a temple or a church for God to specially hear our prayers because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. He loves our place. As we pray God is carefully watching and listening to us. He sees our heart. He hears our cries. God is not distant. We don’t need to somehow break through to some remote realm. God is close and attentive and rapt with our prayers. He is “all ears.” You don’t have to pray loud or long or properly. You just have to ask.

But we are particularly looking for how to respond when people have rejected or ignored God and are living with the consequences of his abandonment. This is true of the West in particular. Such a strong foundation on Christian faith and morality. Such promise and potential. Such blessing from God. Yet we have become arrogant, self-dependent, materialistic and secular. We think that we have earned our blessing and have no need of God. But what can God’s people do?

First, we humble ourselves. We are part of the problem. These are our people and we identify with them. We too are broken. We too are materialistic. We too are self-dependent. We see the roots of our nation’s arrogance and shame in our own lives. And this brings us to our knees. It’s not us and them. We are in this together. We acknowledge that we are a sinful people who desperately need the grace and mercy of God. We will never get out of this by ourselves. It’s the church that needs reviving before our nation will respond.

Second, we pray. Not think about praying. Not say that we really should pray. Not leave it to the intercessors. But actually pray. Call out to God for his mercy. Ask for revival. Plead for another chance for ourselves, our friends and our people. Pray personally. Pray corporately. Pray when you’re in public and pray when you’re in private. Our broken nations really don’t have to stay alienated from God. God wants so much more, but we have to ask. And ask.

There’s more about seeking revival in this passage, but you will need to explore that for yourself.

Prayer Practice

Humble yourself. Identify with your people. And pray for revival and healing, starting with you.