Solomon has completed the construction of the temple and prayed and asked God’s blessing on it and the people of Israel.  That evening God appears to Solomon and tells him He has heard Solomon’s prayers.  That is such an amazing thing; God told Solomon that He had received his prayer.  Don’t we sometimes wonder if God actually hears our prayers?  And then here in our verse for the day God gives us things to consider when we are praying.

First, this verse is directed to those who are called by His name.  Christian that means you!  Because we are called by the name of God’s Son, we have the privilege of being able to pray to Him and expect Him to hear our prayers.  Second, for God to respond the way that we desire we must be humble.  God resists the proud.  If you come to God with arrogance and pride, then you should not expect a positive response from God.

Third, we must pray!  If you don’t pray, then you won’t get a response.  Jesus taught extensively about prayer; both how to pray and how not to pray.  Persistence and diligence in prayer is a powerful thing.  Fourth, to receive a positive response from God we must be seeking Him with our whole being.  Our desire should be that we get so close to God that we can see His face.  And to see the face of God, you need only look to Jesus.  Get close to Jesus!

Fifth, we must turn away from the things that separate us from God.  If we don’t then we are being double-minded; saying that we want to hear from God but living the life that we want to.  To experience all that it means to have God hearing your prayers we must repent of our sins and turn away from anything that displeases Him.

And if we will do that, then no matter where we are God will hear us in heaven and respond.  God was speaking specifically about the trials He would allow to happen in the Israelite’s land if they turned away from worshipping the True God.  But the same truth applies to the trials and tribulations that God allows into our lives when we allow sin to control us.

To have our trials and tribulations that are caused by our sin removed we must humble ourselves, pray, seek Him, and turn from our sin.  If we will do that, this verse says that God will take away the trial or tribulation.  Keep in mind that all trials and tribulations are not because of sin.  But if you will follow these steps, you can absolutely rest in the knowledge that God hears your prayers and is preparing a response for you.  Jesus, teach us to pray!

Read: 2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10; Romans 7:14-8:8; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 19:24-25