Have you ever heard someone talking to you, but you did not really notice them or what they were saying? Last night after our little ones (they are getting bigger) were all tucked in. Katie and I were preparing to tuck ourselves in Katie started speaking, but I was not hearing. She simply walked away without me even noticing. A few minutes later she said sweetly; “You did not even acknowledge what I was saying to you.” I could come up with a number of excuses, or even try to turn it around so it would seem as if I was not at fault. But she was right.
In 2 Chronicles 6-7 Solomon addresses the assembled people of Israel for the dedication of the newly finished temple. Then he offers a prayer of dedication from verse 12 to the end of the chapter. In his prayer eight times Solomon asks that God would hear, usually followed by from heaven.
What would be some reasons that God does not hear? The Lord tells us in the often quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14 verse.
2 Chronicles 7:14 14 if my people who are called by my name 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.
- God will “hear from heaven” when you have a right relationship with him.
Notice, “if my people” and “who are called by my name” God hears and then responds to those who have a relationship with Him. A relationship with God the Father is only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). That relationship begins only when you believe (have faith, place your trust) in Jesus confessing him as Lord, and willing to turn from your sin and self (Romans 10:9-13).
- God will “hear from heaven” when you have a right attitude.
Notice, “humble themselves” and “pray” and “seek my face.” Sometimes our children may come and ask us for something that would be very good for them to have… like food. At times we deny giving it to them, because the attitude behind their request was inappropriate. God is our Father if we have a relationship with Him through Jesus, and he will not respond to us when we come in to him in ways that dishonor him. Look back at Solomon’s prayer in chapter 6 and you will see one of the characteristics of a right attitude is a right posture in prayer. Solomon, before all of the people, is on his knees and his hand are spread open toward heaven (6:13). This posture pictures an attitude of submission, dependence, and openness. My preferred posture in prayer is on my knees, it simply helps me have a right attitude in my heart.
- God will “hear from heaven” when you are ready to live rightly.
Notice, “turn from their wicked ways.” Most often God the Father does not hear from heaven, because his people are not serious about turning away from their sin. It is foolish for us to approach our Father in heaven asking for help, deliverance, blessing, etc. when we knowingly harbor sinful pleasures in our hearts. Our living does impact whether or not God will hear from heaven.
Friends, we can have confidence in prayer and knowing that our prayers will be heard in heaven when we have a right relationship with the Father, a right attitude toward the Father, and right living before the Father. 2 Chronicles 7:14 assures us of this also when is says “then I will hear from heaven”
Ultimately, our confidence does not come from how we pray, but in a good Father with steadfast love, who is always ready to “hear from heaven.”