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 will forgive their sin and heal their land,” (2 Chro 7:14).

In chapter 6, Solomon asked God to make provision for the people when they sinned. God answered with four conditions for forgiveness:
• Humble yourself by admitting your sins.
• Pray to God, asking for forgiveness.
• Seek God continually.
• Turn from sinful behaviour.
True repentance is more than talk—it is changed behaviour. Whether we sin individually, as a group or as a nation, following these steps will lead to forgiveness.
God will answer our earnest prayers.
Ten Reasons For Unanswered Prayers
God’s answers to prayer are
“Yes,” “No,” “Wait a while,” “You’ve got to be kidding” (Mat 20:20-35).
First of all, before you pray ask yourself
1• Do I belong to God’s family? (Jn 10:16).
2• Am I listening to His response to my petitions?
Prayer is a conversation with God, especially His covenant partners. “I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep, and am known by My own … and they will hear My voice” (Jn 10:14,16).
“And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice,” (John 10:3,4).
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it,” (John 14:13,14).

14:14. When Jesus says we can ask for anything, we must remember that our asking must be in his name—that is, according to God’s character and will. God will not grant requests contrary to his nature or His will, and we cannot use his name as a magic formula to fulfill our selfish desires. If we are sincerely following God and seeking to do his will, then our requests will be in line with what he wants, and he will grant them (see also 15:16; 16:23).
• Unprayed prayers (Jas 4:2).
• Unconfessed sin (Ps 66:18; Ps 18:41; Prov. 15:29; 28:9; Isaiah 1:15; 59:1,2: 1Pet 3:12; 1Jn 1:9).
• Unbelieving mind (Jas 1:6-8).
• Unrighteous motives (Jas 4:3-5; 1Jn 5:14,15; Ps 37:9,10,20,35,36,38).
• Unresolved conflicts (Mat 5:23,24).
• Unmerciful to the poor (Prov 21:13; Isaiah 58).
• Husband not honouring wife (1Pet 3:7).
• When the request is wrong (Jas 4:3).
• Timing is wrong (Isaiah 55:6; Amos 8:11-13).
• Something wrong going on in our lives (Isaiah 5:8-25; 58:1,2; 1Sam 28:6; Ezek 8 see v.18).
(1) “You’ve got to be kidding”
Read Matt 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45: The request of the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons.
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