As 714PRAYER warriors, we are claiming 2 Chronicles 7:14 for spiritual awakening in our country, our churches, our families and our own lives.
If 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)
As the Children of God, we are invited to humble ourselves, seek the face of God and pray. However, there is a next step that separates those who really desire spiritual renewal and those who simply talk about it. God commands us to turn from our wicked ways.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the idea of having wicked ways. Sure, I have sins, I’m not perfect, but wicked ways? That sounds so strong, so unchristian. I like to think that I have some weaknesses, some mistakes, sure some sin, but not serious ones, not wicked ways.
Before we will see spiritual awakening in our country and in our churches, we have to admit our own sinfulness. We have to confront our own “wickedness.” I must see my sin for what it is before I can truly begin to experience spiritual renewal.
Before I can seek the face of God, I have to turn or “repent” from my sin. Turning from sin is what the Bible calls repentance. “Repent” means to turn and go the other way, or to have a change of heart and action.
I talked about repentance in detail in the post “Lies Christians Believe.”
Before I can turn from my sin, I have to acknowledge that my actions and attitudes are wicked. My sin keeps me from seeking the face of God, because I am seeking my own desires over His. (All sin is about putting my desires before God.)
The Psalmist said, “Search me, O God.”
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.Psalm 139:23-24
The Psalmist was willing to come before God and ask Him to examine his heart and seek is there was any wicked way in him. Are we willing to pray that prayer? Are we willing to say to God, come and look through my heart, examine my thoughts and attitudes? If there are wicked ways there, reveal them so I can turn from them.
Let’s pray together,
Father today, come and examine my heart and mind. Take a spiritual magnifying glass to my actions and attitudes and show me if there is wickedness in my heart. I know that I can easily excuse my sin. I know that my sin keeps me from seeking Your face completely. Show me my wickedness and lead me to turn from my sin. I know my sin is forgiven by the blood of Jesus, but I know that I must turn from my sin, if I am going to seek Your face. Father, today, reveal my sin and empower me with Your Holy Spirit to turn from my sin.
In Jesus name, Amen.