This scripture relates to people engaging in a specific action that allows God to bring healing to a land. I would like to bring attention to the first action required in this passage, to humble yourself. Not pray, but humble yourself. We, the Church, should not even think about praying until we have become humbled. One might say, “I have humbled myself.” But God is attempting to direct a question to us on the basis of our actions and conduct, one to another, as a people of God and not our lip service to Him as an unseen God. How does one humble himself?

“Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 1 John 2:9-11

These scriptures are very clear that a man’s trespasses will not be forgiven him if he has not first released himself in an act of forgiveness with man. If I am a man in the world and not born again, then I must first establish a relationship with God, but if I am a believer in Christ, forgiveness is the requirement for the power of this scripture to be released into our land.

According to II Chronicles 7:14, God is requiring an outward action of humility from the whole body of Christ for healing to come to our land. I have come to this conclusion because I can see that people within the church are praying, but our land is not healed. So my challenge and exhortation to the body of believers is to reflect on the two parts related to forgiveness, first, by asking for forgiveness and second, by receiving forgiveness. Then we can immerse ourselves in united prayer for our nation.

Each day the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The rising sun signals the beginning of a new day, while at the same moment on the other side of the world, the setting sun is signaling the end of the day. One group is brushing their teeth and getting ready to start the day, while the other is brushing their teeth and getting ready to end theirs. Are they watching two different events? Are they viewing two different suns? It’s the same event, the same sun. Why then does this singular event impact them in seemingly opposite ways?

It has to do with the angle from which they are viewing the sun. Likewise, our cultural worldviews (or, simply put, viewpoints) dynamically impact our interpretation of moral and social values. Divergent viewpoints can cause division and separation, though differing points of view are simply a comparison of how one group looks at life’s experiences versus how another sees the same. Our distinctive viewpoints affect our biblical ways of interpreting and applying scripture. Which view of the sun’s rising and falling is the more accurate? One? Both? Neither?

Let me ask you some questions. What color is love? What gender is kindness? What socio-economic level is gentleness? Do you want to fellowship with your own kind? We must open our arms and heart to all the people of God. No matter what they look, sound, smell, walk or talk like—they’re your brothers and sisters. The body of Christ, which relates to people, is to be known by unconditional love.