What if his people prayed?

I have decided to do a 10 day devotional focus on Casting Crowns CD. So if you would like to hear the songs I will be using as a spring board go to their website:

http://www.castingcrowns.com/

Day one...

What if the people prayed?

And what if the people prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see the light of day

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

...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.

This verse is in a central part of an amazing story. The dedication of the temple was happening. Solomon had completed that in which is father dreamt of but could never do. The blood on David's hands was to great. After a great prayer of dedication was made by Solomon the people would witness a great fire from heaven come down and consume their sacrifices and offerings. The presence of the Lord filled that place. The presence of the Lord was so great that even the priests could not enter it.

After the dedication ceremony had ended the Lord would speak to Solomon. The Lord explains that hard times may come. Then he says:

...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.

This is a great statement by the Lord. Then after a few other verses we see the consequences of not humbly following the Lord:

2 Chronicles 7:19-20(NLT)

"But if you abandon me and disobey the laws and commands I have given you, and if you go and worship other gods, then I will uproot the people of Israel from this land of mine that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have set apart to honor my name. I will make it a spectacle of contempt among the nations.

Following the Lord takes more than just speaking great prayers or attending a worship service. Following the Lord takes humble sacrifice. So IF the people prayed to the Lord he will hear our cries and fill this bodily temple.