“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”
2 Chronicles 7:13-16 (NIV)

After Solomon built the Temple and dedicated it to the Lord, God appears to him at night and says these words. The promise to Solomon, to the Israelites, and now to us is that if we seek Him, He will be found. He will hear. He will heal. But first, we must humble ourselves and pray.

Today, let’s come to God with open hands and rest in His presence, knowing that He will listen to our prayers:

Lord, we call on Your name and remember who You are. You are Elohim, Creator God, who spoke the world into being. Just as You created beauty out of chaos, show us glimpses of Your glory in the midst of turmoil and stress. You are Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. You turned bitter water sweet in the wilderness, and so we ask you do the same for our bitter hearts. Uproot hatred, grudges, and heal the wounds that first caused them. You are El Roi, the God who sees. When we are made invisible and silent by the hand of others, thank You for hearing our cries for freedom. You are Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, and we long for the day when Jesus will return and all will be made right. And You are Emmanuel, God with us, as we wait for that day.

Forgive us when we have not loved each other as You have loved us, when we have put down and hurt others in secret or with words on a screen. Forgive us when we’ve neglected to care when we should have, when we have been callous or apathetic, when we have thought only of ourselves and our own loved ones instead of considering others and their loved ones as well. 

Heal what we have broken with our own hands and the pain that has been done to us. Heal this country and the Church, even if — and especially if — it means exposing and cutting out what is rotten so that true healing can begin. We are desperate for justice and peace and for new life to come.

Help us to see as You do, to stay tender and compassionate, to be vessels of truth and love, even when it comes at a cost. Help us to be like Jesus. 

We love You, Lord.

Amen.

Let’s pray together.

We usually take up this space every month to share personal prayer requests and pray for one another. Let’s do something different today. Let’s comment with a collective prayer that lifts up others. There are so many apparent needs around us, so let’s bring them before the Lord. When something resonates with you, comment back with an “Amen.” Let’s pray.

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