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. – 2 Chronicles 7:14
About fifteen years ago, my congregation had a wonderful experience with God’s healing power. I am the pastor of our church, and for some reason I had become extremely fatigued. When the phone would ring, it was even an effort for me to answer. That Sunday night I gave the message with what little strength I had, and after going to prayer, a sister got my attention because she wanted to be prayed for. Just to get up and walk across the platform to anoint her was a strain.
The sister was sitting on the altar. I did not know all of her story, but apparently sometime prior to this she’d had a surgery to remove a tumor, and recently it had redeveloped. Now she felt like she was in the midst of a real trial. Another minister joined me, we anointed her with oil according to James 5:14, and began to pray. In my tiredness, I sought God. I simply asked Him to come. And He did! With my eyes closed, face Heavenward, I felt the glory of God. I do not remember everything that happened in that prayer meeting, but by the end that sister was saying, “I’m healed! I’m healed!” and my fatigue was gone as well. It was all gone!
Thinking about what happened that night, I realize that a simple prayer for God to come is the best prayer for any situation. Sometimes we have a tendency to seek for things, rather than seek God. But in our focus verse, God said that if we will humble ourselves and seek Him, He will take care of the rest. He knows our needs, and we do not need to beg Him for help. If we just seek to be in His presence, asking Him to come into our midst, He will take care of any problem we may have. The Holy Spirit cannot come into a place and leave the lives there unchanged—He will have an impact! And it will be the best one possible.
When we have a need, let’s seek God first. It will require humbling ourselves, obeying God’s instructions to us, and then simply asking for His presence in our lives. He has promised to answer.