Call to worship:
5 You, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
for you answer me.Psalm 86:5-7
Gathering Video
Questions for Reflection:
1. How can my misunderstanding of the text impose an unnecessary burden, and lead to false guilt?
2. Hoes does misuse of 2 Chronicles 7:14 omit a necessary responsibility, and oversimplify my call?
Corporate Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven,
Make us understand the way of your precepts, and we will meditate on your wondrous works. Grant us vision to see your Son and the grand work of redemption yesterday, today, and forever. Give us ears to hear and a heart to obey all that the Spirit would will for our lives.
May you increase as we decrease.
In Christ we pray.
Amen.
Notes//Quotes//Slides:
2 Chronicles 7:14 - Faith
“The key to understanding any verse of Scripture is context. There is the immediate context—the verses before and after it, as well as the larger context of Scripture—how the verse fits into the overall story. There is also the historical and cultural context—how the verse was understood by its original audience in light of their history and culture. Because context is so important, a verse whose meaning and application seem straightforward when quoted in isolation may mean something significantly different when it is taken in context.”
Got Questions Ministries
Black and white photo from the Twilight Zone
“…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
Meme Calling for prayer for America
“The verse is riveted with great spiritual truths – the need for humility, prayer, the pursuit of God, and repentance. Furthermore, it promises God’s listening ear, forgiveness, and healing. On the surface, it seems to be an ideal verse to claim for believers who long to see righteousness, truth and blessings fall upon their country. But is it legitimate to use?”
Eric J. Bargerhuff
““When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.
2 Chronicles 6:26-27
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:13-15
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
Jeremiah 29:7
Does our situation in America more resemble Israel of Solomon’s day, or Babylon of Daniel’s day?
Two negative consequences of the misuse of 2 Chronicles 7:14
1. It imposes an unnecessary burden, and can lead to false guilt
2. It omits a necessary responsibility, and oversimplifies our call
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2