“When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, 12 the Lord appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. 13 “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, 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. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 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 7:11-16 NLT
Our Father in heaven and on earth,
One night You appeared to Solomon! Wow. I wonder if he fell down as if dead like Ezekiel did (Ezekiel 1:128) or was struck dumb like Zechariah – and he only met will an angel (Luke 1:20). The Temple was finished and the royal palace. I wonder how he felt? Excited, relieved, a bit of pride, grateful, exhausted . . .
We he must have been prayerful because You, Lord heard his prayers. And You speak to them. Making an arrangement with Solomon. If says God. Now when or how or who but if. If my people. Not dependant just on Solomon. If my people. There is to be no going to any other altars or seeking any help from anyone anything else. If there is repentance, turning away from sin to holiness. then I will hear and attend.
Prayer is a serious thing Lord and when I read of revivals I see it starts with a small group of totally committed, focused, repentant believers who are united in their passion for the kingdom of God. Likewise I read of the times the UK called the nation to prayer, as on 24th May 1940 when troops were marooned at Dunkirk. Churches, chapels and synagogues were full. Two events immediately followed. A storm arose over Dunkirk and grounded the Luftwaffe who were killing our soldiers on the beach. Then a great calm settled on the channel allowing all those little boats to rescue over 335,000 soldiers.
Help us to pray and then help us to know when we need to gather to humble ourselves and ask when it seems like the heavens are closed.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 31st May 2025
We join our hearts and prayers with our family in Christ, in other nations, who feel their heavens are shut up . . .
Can a nation be changed?
Can a nation be saved?
Can a nation be turned back to you?
Let this nation be changed,
Let this nation be saved.
Let this nation be turned back to you.
We’re on our knees,
We’re on our knees again.
We’re on our knees,
We’re on our knees again.
We’re on our knees,
We’re on our knees again.
We’re on our knees,
We’re on our knees again
Lyrics: Matt Redman