I think about the title I just wrote for my study this morning and it is the “earnest prayer” that stands out to me. In May 2018 I was led to the below passage as I studied the word “seek” and in that study I was reminded of these points.
God has things for us to do, and they are all action items:
- Humble yourself – have a change of heart
- Pray – speak with God
- Seek the Face of God – earnestly look for Him
- Turn from sin – consciously avoid sin
Now I as I read and study the word “hear” I see a deeper look into how I defined points 2 and 3 as “speak with God” and “earnestly look for Him”.
“14if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
God says here to pray and seek His face and He will hear and forgive and heal.
How can I not want that for myself, and the actions are so simple, earnestly look for and speak with Him. I only have to genuinely want to engage with God and when I do He will hear me and come to me.
I have to be careful with my expectations though. God will come when my requests are earnest and genuine. I can simply go through the motions and expect God to be there but in reality, He will come when I lean on Him with earnest. I have to fully submit and seek Him. I cannot be the one that shows at church on Sunday morning so others can see me. I have to be there when no one but He is watching. Whether anyone but God sees or hears us is inconsequential. God will hear our earnest prayer and will come.
What is it that you will do to have God come to you? Are your prayers genuine? Will you earnestly seek God so that He will hear and come?
Trevor's Thoughts 