Pastor Mark's four prescriptions for God’s healing and restoration

I don’t know what you’re dealing with right now, but I suspect you may need some sort of healing. Maybe it’s a health problem or a broken relationship. Maybe it’s a problem at home or at work with a co-worker. Many systemic health issues we face are linked to broken relationships, emotional hurt and pains caused by our past.

The Bible is full of certain scripts to help guide us in prayer. The Lord’s Prayer, Psalm 23, guides to prayer and many others. The good news is God gave us a model for praying for healing and restoration in the Bible. About 3,000 years ago, God promised King Solomon to heal and restore God’s people. That promise still stands today.

But notice that 2 Chronicles 7:14 isn’t a promise to everyone. It’s a promise to God’s people.

God says, “Then if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek Me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land (NCV)."

In this verse, God gives us four prescriptions for answering our prayers for healing and restoration.

Prescription number one: We need to admit we’re not in control.

“Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)."

Most issues we face stem from the sin of pride. The verse above teaches us the first prescription to healing and restoration is starting with humility. Recognize that we’re not God, and we’re not in control. Humility is our choice. Many people get confused about what true humility looks like. Think of it like this: It’s confessing our sin to God the moment we realize it. It’s forgiving quickly, it’s refusing to retaliate when we’re treated unfairly, it’s looking to serve others, not expecting to be served, and it’s praying for our enemies.

I know what you are thinking, “well, Pastor, that is easier said than done.” None of that is easy. If it were easy we would all be healed, restored and blessed! It’s all hard because it requires faith, trusting in God and relinquishing pride and control. But when we’re humble, God promises to help. God opposes the proud every time. But when we’re humble, God is on our side. He’ll guide us (Psalm 25:9), bless us (Isaiah 66:2), empower us to make changes in our lives (James 4:6) and reduce our stress (Matthew 11:29). That’s the beginning of true healing and restoration.

Prescription number two: Ask God for help.

“Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)."

God is ready and willing to help. The truth is, we’re not waiting on God to act. He is waiting on us to pray. I know this is simple, but so many put God as a last resort. We will try everything before we pray and ask God. If we only prayed, it would save us a lot of hurt, loss and brokenness. Imagine if we would have prayed and asked God if He was okay with our relationship, our comings and goings? Again, pride hinders our prayer life. That is why it starts with pride. How do you pray for healing? Ask with confidence. We don’t need to worry that something isn’t worth bringing to God. Jesus tells us we can pray about anything! (John 16:23). We ask in Jesus’ name. Jesus’ name gives us instant access to the Father every time (John 16:23). We get other people to pray with you(James 5:13-15). We don’t need 50 people praying for us. It can just be two. But it’s important to gather with others and pray. We believe and expect an answer. Pray in faith. God might not answer the prayer how we want, but He will answer (James 5:15).Finally, we keep praying until God tells you to stop. Restoration could happen instantly or over a period of years. God is in control of the timing. We can’t stop unless He tells us to stop.

Prescription number three: Seek God, not a miracle.

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)."

It’s okay for us to want a miracle, but we need God more. When we seek God, we’ll get everything He wants to give us. I have two amazing children (well adults technically now). Imagine if the only time they ever came to me is if they wanted something or needed something. It wouldn’t be a relationship, and the love wouldn’t last very long. I believe so many people lack a relationship with Christ. Seeking God isn’t something we do in our spare moments. We don’t do it after three TV shows and several hours on social media. Seeking God can’t be at the bottom of our list of priorities. It needs to be the primary focus of our lives. It’s rare to find someone truly seeking God with everything they are. But if we do, God will do just about anything for us.

Prescription number four: Turn your attention from the world to the Word.

“Turn from their wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)."When most people see the word repentance, they believe it’s a negative word. They picture a man on the street yelling, “Turn or burn.” But the Greek word for "repentance," "metanoia," literally means to change your mind. We repent when we think differently about something than we did previously. We repent when we think about sin differently, when we think about God differently and when we think about ourselves differently.It’s also not just turning away from something bad. It’s turning toward something that’s good. To find restoration, we need to stop focusing on what the world says about our situation and start trusting what God is saying about our situation.

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I have no idea what you are facing right now, but I know that God wants to bring you healing and restoration. Where do you need healing? Are you ready to take the first step?

Humble yourself. Ask God for help. Seek God’s face. Turn away from your sin. Then get ready for God’s healing.

— Mark Ingram is the pastor of Stewart Road Church. He can be reached at contact@stewartroad.org.

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