Healing the Nation – 20 November 2008

"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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 

2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NIV)

God’s promises in this passage are quite clear and what he is looking for from us is also clear!

He calls us to:

·         Humble yourselves

·         Pray

·         Seek God’s face

·         Turn from your wicked ways

In return he promises:

·         I will hear from heaven

·         I will forgive your sin

·         I will heal your land

We cannot brow beat or coerce God, nor can we deserve his favour but he is looking for a seriousness of intent in us and this begins with repentance.

We begin out 48 hours of prayer this weekend with a prayer gathering at St. Oswald’s, 8.00pm tomorrow 21 November.  I do hope you will be able to join God’s people as we come before him.  An essential part of our gathering will be a time of repentance, as we humble ourselves before him as we begin our 48 hours of prayer.

Our focus in prayer this weekend is God’s purpose for us as a people in this parish, in the worship centres of St. Matthew’s, St. Oswald’s and Overslade – but make no mistake, what happens here is part of God’s plan for the Healing of the Nation.  This is a challenge, a responsibility and an adventure that we are called to together.

If you haven’t signed up to pray for 1 hour over this coming weekend please follow this link and sign up to pray today!

http://www.stmatthews.org.uk/Articles/126832/St_Matthews_and/St_Matthews_Church/Prayer/Prayer_and_Fasting/A_Call_to.aspx