2 Chronicles 7:14
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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.
The order of the actions we must take before God responds is not random. According to our text, effective prayer springs from a posture of humility. Humility is a prerequisite for effective prayer, seeking the Lord’s face and turning from our wicked ways. Humility comes first.
Observe that pride is the antonym of humility. And pride is the principal stumbling block to believers’ success and enjoyment of God’s Presence.
It is pride which cost Lucifer his place in heaven (Ezek. 28:12-15). It is pride which cost Adam and Eve their place in the Garden of Eden–the realm of intimate fellowship with God. It is their pride which gave them the audacity to defy God’s clear word in preference for another’s opinion (Gen. 3:6). Their pride made them lean on their own understanding rather than on God’s wisdom (see Pro 3:5).
Beloved, pride can deny you access to your God-given rights and privileges. This sin wears many masks. It can assume the mask of independence, intelligence or inhibition. It also manifests as jealousy, envy and criticism, among other guises. Lord have mercy!
This sin afflicts every saint–young and old, high and low, rich and poor. If we desire to achieve phenomenal results through prayer, let us confess and reject every trace of pride in our hearts and minds today.
Pastor Josh