This Bible passage is a great encouragement. It gives the solution to our nation’s problems and also to our individual problems:
“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.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
“if my people”
God is talking to the Solomon, king of the Israelites. God chose the Israelites as His own special people. He told them through Moses: “The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:7-9
Even though this verse referred to the Israelites at that time, often it is used to refer to Christians. Certainly Christians are “my people, called by my name”. Christians represent Jesus; “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 We should strive to accuracy represent Christ.
“will humble themselves and pray”
Pride keeps Christians from praying. When we think we can something on our own without the Lord’s help, we are showing pride.
“and seek my face”
Not only should we ask God, we need to seek His answer. What is His will, His heart? We need to listen to Him.
“and turn from their wicked ways”
When we pray and listen to God’s answer, often what He tells us causes us to realize our sin. When we know we are sinning or realize how our sin hurts God or that we can change, hopefully we will change:
The prophet Daniel, “highly esteemed” Daniel 9:23 10:11, 19 by God and of whom no sin is recorded, prayed on behalf of his people:
“I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.” Daniel 9:4-6 We can pray on behalf of others.
“then will I hear from heaven”
Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers because of sin in our lives:: “The man (formerly blind) answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he (Jesus) comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will.” John 9:30-31 God will act, often in dramatic ways, when we repent (change our minds about our sin and consequently our actions).
“and will forgive their sin”
God is waiting for us to repent: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
“and will heal their land”
When we ask, genuinely seek His answer and repent of our sin if necessary, God will heal our land. He is not telling unbelievers to repent of their sin before He heals our land. They need to believe in Him before they can even hope to repent of their sin. In fact, their sin is unbelief. God is talking to “my people”.
It is encouraging that God will heal their land if His people change their minds and actions. We don’t have to wait for everyone to repent, only believers.
Another verse that gives a similar message:
"If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." Psalm 81:113-16
This verse was originally written to Israel, but applies to Christians as well. We need to pray, listen and obey for our enemies (demonic forces: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12) to be defeated. Then we will be greatly rewarded.