Humbling, Seeking, and Turning

"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 (2Chr. 7:14 KJV)."

This verse is often quoted as a call to prayer for God's people. This verse contains an if/then conditional clause. The if portion of the clause requires specific action to move into the then portion of the clause. The words humble, pray, seek, and turn are all words requiring action. Let's take a look at each word.

The word humble literally translates to bend the knee. Bending the knee, or bowing, is a physical sign of subjection or surrender to a higher authority. The first portion of the if/then clause is subjecting ourselves in total, unconditional surrender to God.

I will combine the words pray and seek. The word pray means pray. The word seek means to search out specifically in worship or prayer. The second condition of the if/then clause is to seek God's face in prayer to search out His will.

The final condition of the if/then clause is the word turn. This word literally means to turn back. When put into the context of the phrase, "turn from their wicked ways", it means to repent, or turn back and away from sin.

This oft-quoted verse calling God's people to prayer is straightforward. We are to bend the knee, subjecting ourselves in total surrender to God's authority. This is humbling ourselves. We are to pray, searching out the face of God for His will. This is seeking. We are to repent of our wicked ways. This is turning.

When the conditions of the if portion of the clause are met, we move forward to the then portion. Then God will hear. Then God will forgive. Then God will heal. Remember, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (Jas. 5:16 KJV)." God bless...