2nd Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
This passage of scripture addresses the issue of conditions of answered prayer for Christians, who have entered into a covenant relationship with God. The verses start with the words "If My people", which indicates to us that those who are thus referred to, already have a working relationship with The Lord, but for some reason may have strayed into forbidden paths, and brought upon themselves serious trouble. Then the conditions for answered prayer are clearly stated, and they are given in the order in which they must be implemented, so that the answers which are sought from God, may be materialized.
The first condition is the humbling of ourselves, meaning that we acknowledge that we have done wrong. This very first and important step sets the stage for the next, for without our acknowledging that we have sinned, the pardon that God gives will avail nothing, that's why David took this first step after he was confronted with his sin with Bathsheba, and the consequent murder of her husband. Let's read:
Psalm 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
The next step mentioned is prayer, by which the lines of communication between ourselves and God are reopened and restored, which leads us to the next important point of seeking God's face. Seeking God's face is not a one-time experience in this case, but rather refers to and on-going effort on our part so that the broken harmony between ourselves and God can be restored. In other words, this is not a one-time visit to church, where we respond to a single altar call, but is rather a deliberate effort on a continual basis, so that we may once again find our groove in the relationship with Christ.
The next requirement listed is for us to turn from our wicked ways, which constitutes the most important aspect in the restoration process. If there is no sincere desire to turn away from sin, or if we become irritated when our errors are pointed out by The Holy Spirit, then it becomes futile in trying to move forward with the remaining conditions, for if we cannot listen when The Spirit of God speaks, neither will we hear when God answers. This particular point must be clearly understood by all Christians, for many of us have prayed to God on different occasions, and have not received any answers, and we are often at a loss as to the reasons why. The real cause might very well be the attitude to refuse the conviction of sin granted us through The Holy Spirit, without which the prayers of Christians won't be answered. Let's read:
Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
When all of the previous conditions are fulfilled, and when we are once again brought back into fellowship with God, then the sure results will follow, for God will hear and answer our prayers, and whatever damage has been done during the time of our alienation, God promises to restore according to His good will. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to fulfill the conditions for answered prayer, by confessing and forsaking all known sins, and by living in harmony with His word, being empowered by His Spirit. Let's read:
1st John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!