A wonderful Easter celebration to you, and yours. May you experience this year the power that is inherent in the death and resurrection of our and savior Jesus Christ.
2chronicles7vs14------''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 hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land''. Easter is what makes us God's people ,and if we are His people then God has called us to do something here on the earth while we wait for His return. This text is quoted regularly in our churches, so lets take a closer look as we continue to pray for the coming of the kingdom of God. This word was given by God to king Solomon at the dedication of the temple.This word is still very much applicable to us today.
In our cathedrals this is what God wants us to do if He is indeed the Lord of our churches. If we are His people indeed then,we must take the next step to come closer still, by humbling ourselves. For the reason intercession is scarce in our churches is the absence of the spirit of 'humility'. Humility is the direct opposite of pride, haughtiness,arrogance and self assertiveness. Humility is the reflection or expression of deference and submission. when we are humble then the things of the kingdom will be our primary concern,the things that break the heart of God will also break our hearts. Humility will always bring us to our faces before God when we hear what is going on in our families,cities,nations. Nehemiah was in the kings palace in Persia,but when he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, and the gates burnt, he began to weep and mourn,that led him to fasting and intercessions for Jerusalem and the remnants. Nehemiah1vs3 ''And they said to me the remnant that are left in captivity ------are in great affliction and reproach; the walls of Jerusalem is broken down and the gates thereof are burnt with fire''.
In verse5 Nehemiah began to pray ,he stood in the place of the remnant in their shame and reproach and repented. Nehemiah was more concerned about the remnant than about himself,his job in the kings palace,or his comfort. He identified with the plight of his people. For the humble their concern for others is so strong they are willing to take risks. Esther's famous statement,shows the true heart of humility.It's not about me anymore ,it's about the kingdom.From Abraham to Moses,Nehemiah,Esther, the prophets,and the apostles in the New Testament, all had one thing in common ,they were humble,and the risked every thing even unto their lives for the sake of the kingdom.
Effective fervent prayers begins right here with a heart of humility.At the height of his power ,Esther10 simply describes Mordecai as the man who ''sought the prosperity and welfare of his people --the Jews.
Before we start praying for our cities,nations,let's first pray, Lord create in me a humble heart,that will be moved by the need of others . For the kingdom to come it must be carried on the shoulders of humility.
Right now the needs of your church ,the pain and suffering in your community,the sin of the nation,the collapse of the economy,the rise in human trafficking is greater than our own personal needs.'' If my people called by my name will humble themselves and pray---'' This is the year for the manifestation of the kingdom of God,so lets humble ourselves and pray. Thefore before you sit down to have your Easter feast, take a walk round your community and ask God to open your to see what He sees,and you will be amazed,then you can pray.
He is Risen.
2chronicles7vs14------''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 hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land''. Easter is what makes us God's people ,and if we are His people then God has called us to do something here on the earth while we wait for His return. This text is quoted regularly in our churches, so lets take a closer look as we continue to pray for the coming of the kingdom of God. This word was given by God to king Solomon at the dedication of the temple.This word is still very much applicable to us today.
In our cathedrals this is what God wants us to do if He is indeed the Lord of our churches. If we are His people indeed then,we must take the next step to come closer still, by humbling ourselves. For the reason intercession is scarce in our churches is the absence of the spirit of 'humility'. Humility is the direct opposite of pride, haughtiness,arrogance and self assertiveness. Humility is the reflection or expression of deference and submission. when we are humble then the things of the kingdom will be our primary concern,the things that break the heart of God will also break our hearts. Humility will always bring us to our faces before God when we hear what is going on in our families,cities,nations. Nehemiah was in the kings palace in Persia,but when he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, and the gates burnt, he began to weep and mourn,that led him to fasting and intercessions for Jerusalem and the remnants. Nehemiah1vs3 ''And they said to me the remnant that are left in captivity ------are in great affliction and reproach; the walls of Jerusalem is broken down and the gates thereof are burnt with fire''.
In verse5 Nehemiah began to pray ,he stood in the place of the remnant in their shame and reproach and repented. Nehemiah was more concerned about the remnant than about himself,his job in the kings palace,or his comfort. He identified with the plight of his people. For the humble their concern for others is so strong they are willing to take risks. Esther's famous statement,shows the true heart of humility.It's not about me anymore ,it's about the kingdom.From Abraham to Moses,Nehemiah,Esther, the prophets,and the apostles in the New Testament, all had one thing in common ,they were humble,and the risked every thing even unto their lives for the sake of the kingdom.
Effective fervent prayers begins right here with a heart of humility.At the height of his power ,Esther10 simply describes Mordecai as the man who ''sought the prosperity and welfare of his people --the Jews.
Before we start praying for our cities,nations,let's first pray, Lord create in me a humble heart,that will be moved by the need of others . For the kingdom to come it must be carried on the shoulders of humility.
Right now the needs of your church ,the pain and suffering in your community,the sin of the nation,the collapse of the economy,the rise in human trafficking is greater than our own personal needs.'' If my people called by my name will humble themselves and pray---'' This is the year for the manifestation of the kingdom of God,so lets humble ourselves and pray. Thefore before you sit down to have your Easter feast, take a walk round your community and ask God to open your to see what He sees,and you will be amazed,then you can pray.
He is Risen.
