2nd Chronicles 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 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.
2nd Chronicles 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place…. While it is true that any human being could pray to God at any time, in any place, and in any situation, our first passage outlines some basic essentials for those who are called by His name, referring to folks who have entered into a covenant relationship with Him, thus designating them as His people.
The opening passage outlines some conditions and prerequisites for answered prayer, which have to be understood properly in order for us to pray to God intelligently, and get answers. The verses speak of a humble attitude, first and foremost, which means a contrite spirit that is dependent on God’s mercies. Our attitudes and the perspectives we bring to the table mean very much to God, and they frequently determine whether an answer to prayer would be granted.
God should not be viewed as being subjective to our every request, where He’s duty bound to give us any and everything, nor should we believe that because He has promised, He has to respond in the positive every single time. God does not owe us anything, and therefore, when we pray, it should be from the perspective of us not being worthy at all to receive anything from God. A humble spirit also would not seek to bully God into blessing us by clinging to our requests after He has said a positive no, as the case might be.
Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!