God appeared to Solomon that very night and said, “I accept your prayer; yes, I have chosen this place as a temple for sacrifice, a house of worship. If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on I’m alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place. Believe me, I’ve chosen and sanctified this Temple that you have built: My Name is stamped on it forever; my eyes are on it and my heart in it always. As for you, if you live in my presence as your father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life I’ve set out for you, attentively obedient to my guidance and judgments, then I’ll back your kingly rule over Israel—make it a sure thing on a sure foundation. The same covenant guarantee I gave to David your father I’m giving to you, namely, ‘You can count on always having a descendant on Israel’s throne.’
2 Chronicles 7:12-18 MSG
The full story. We often hear: if my people who are called my name shall humble themselves and pray... however, God was telling Solomon that as long as His people sought Him things would be good and if they wandered and He caused difficulties to come, that by repentance they would be healed.
For us Chrisrians we garner God's intention that we are the ones who bring blessing on our land, by our own faithfulness, humility and focus on Him.
What can we do for our land? We can pray and pray effectively knowing our prayers will be heard. Amen!
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