7:14...

by Debi Baker

"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 I will 

hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

This has long been one of my favorite verses. It is one of many 'if-then' instructions in the Word of God. God says IF you do this, follow my instructions, THEN I will do something for you. It sounds simple enough...IF we will humble ourselves before the Lord...seek His face...turn away from our sin...THEN He will hear our prayers and forgive us and heal us!

Now, I am believing that the word 'land' can mean MORE than just physical land. I believe that we can substitute other words there. 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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their 'marriage.' Or 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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their 'depression.' Or 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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their 'bodies.'

God doesn't want us to walk in illness or depression or troubled marriages or any of the other things we walk in. He wants to heal us. He has already given us His Son so that we can have eternal life ... and for the most part, we spit in His face by turning away from Him. God offers us so much and we take what advantage of His goodness and mercy. So often we only turn to Him when we hit rock bottom...oh, but when we get back to the mountain top we tend to forget Who was there at the bottom.  

Our church has started a new ministry called '714 Ministry.' This ministry is based on the verse in 2 Chronicles. We have asked the congregation to set their phone alarms for 7:14 am. and/or 7:14 p.m. When that alarm goes off, we ask them to pray...for 30 seconds, for 2 minutes, for 30 minutes...time isn't the issue. They are to pray for the church and for the leadership as well as for our community. We all know that there are others praying at the exact same time as we are. It is rather exciting to know that when my alarm goes off at 7:14 a.m. and p.m. that there are many others from our church praying at the same time. We are 4 days in and I can't wait to hear from some of them at church this weekend.  I know they will have many things to say...God heard my prayer!...God spoke to my heart!...

Prayer is one weapon we have against the enemy. It is powerful and it draws us closer to our Father!!!

I challenge you to set your alarm for 7:14 a.m. and/or 7:14 p.m. When it goes off...no matter where you are or what you are doing...pray...for however long you feel you need to...30 seconds or 30 minutes...again, it isn't about the amount of time...it's about the prayer. When you pray, pray for your church and the leadership, pray for your community, pray for whatever is on your heart. Know and be comforted that others are praying at the same time.

Next week, perhaps we can share our experiences.  

Have a wonderful day!!