Lessons From Our Current Pandemic: When Prayer Is Not Enough – Part 2

By: Rev. Gerald D. Adams

Reel Urban News COVID-19 Series

As America attempts to reopen and recover, in some states COVID-19 cases are on the rise and in many instances soaring. Whatever the reason, opening to soon or the insensitivity of people to one another, COVID-19 is still here and very much real.

I am a believer. I number myself among those who call themselves by the name Christ — Christians. I have accepted the salvation freely given by God through the death of Jesus on the cross. I cherish the privilege of prayer which accompanies my belief in Christ. I go boldly to God in prayer and expect him to honor His promises, But I have discovered in His Word that there are times when prayer is not enough.

All over the world, religious leaders, pastors, congregations and prayer groups have used 2 Chronicles 7: 14 as the hope that prayer brings to dire situations.

“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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Before discussing what is sometimes missed when reading this verse, let’s look at the context in which the verse is found. The newly constructed Temple is being dedicated Solomon prays to God on behalf of the people and 2 Chronicles 7: 14 is a part of God’s answer to Solomon’s prayer. God says in effect that if I choose to take action against my people because of their sin, these are the responses that will bring healing to the land. The people must be sure that they have the right attitude before coming in prayer. They pray. But, in order for their prayer to be heard and acted on, two things must happen First, they must seek my face. Second, they must turn from their wicked ways. It is the two latter requirements that are often overlooked. Prayer itself is not enough.

To seek God’s face. Most simply means to turn back to God, Sin drives a wedge between God and His people. In order for God to act on our behalf, we must be in a right relationship with him- This is a conscious decision that we make. It is fueled by our turning from our wicked ways. This turning is repentance. So, we can conclude that it is not enough just to pray. In order for our praying to illicit the desired response, we must be in a repentant relationship with God.

Now the question might arise as to our need to repent. As a land, a world to be healed, our sin must be acknowledged and faced. For me, it is no accident that we are in a time of political unrest in our country. All over the world, people have been protesting oppressive governments. Leaders who look more to their own interest rather than the health of the people are the genesis for this unrest. We in America have often poked fun at or failed to give support to others who were being oppressed around the world. Our current political unrest mirrors for us the fact of oppression in our own country and our need for repentance and change. We need to fix our sin by seeking God’s face and repenting. No healing in the world or in America will come until God accepts our repentance.

Martin Luther King, Jr. in his letter from the Birmingham Jail during the Civil Rights Movement wrote “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.  We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality…”   I am impressed by the coming together of the diverse group of Americans who now are protesting injustice in our country.  If our protest can be accompanied by an acknowledgment of our failings and our collective repentance, we have hope.  God’s promises are true.  If we seek Him and turn, then we can expect to be healed.

We must pray.  Prayer is essential.  But we must also strengthen our relationship with God and this means to diligently seek him.  Believing that he is, we will repent and rely on Him to make us great again.