As missiles and bombs are launched in the Middle East, let us pray for the healing of the nations. Read 2 Chronicles 7:11-19. On February 28, Israel and the United States coordinated an attack on Iran, killing their supreme leader and destroying military objectives. Iran responded with attacks on United States military bases and other targets in the Middle East. At Wesley Chapel, we have vowed to be loyal to our church and uphold her with our prayers and presence. Part of our ministry is to pray for one another and to pray for our world. Every Sunday, we pray for our military, our first responders, and our victims of violence. Now more than ever, our prayers are needed. In today’s Scripture, God responded to Solomon’s prayer. God told Solomon how we should pray and what God’s response would be if we prayed according to God’s will. God’s instructions were to humble ourselves, to pray, to seek God’s face, and to repent of our wicked ways. If we prayed this way, God promised to hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land. Solomon received the message, understanding that God was concerned about Israel. I have heard many Christians in the United States over the years use this same passage for the purpose of seeking God’s favor for our country. But God’s vision is greater than healing the land of Israel and the United States. Our prayers need to align with God’s vision. As the Bible comes to a close in the Book of Revelation, God shows us a new heaven and a new earth. In the new Jerusalem, there will be a tree whose leaves are for the healing of all nations (Revelation 22:2). God is not just concerned with our country and our people. God is concerned with all the people of all the countries. The pattern of prayer in 2 Chronicles is a path for God’s final vision so that all lands of all nations would be healed.

Let us pray, Lord, we humble ourselves before your greatness. Forgive our arrogance and short-sightedness. We seek your face and that you would bestow your grace to the people of all nations. Help us to capture your vision of the healing of the nations. Transform fear into love, fear into trust, despair into hope, and violence into loving embraces. We pray for the protection of those who are engaged in this battle. We pray for the protection of the vulnerable who are in harm’s way of the violence that is around them. Align our hearts and actions with Your vision of the healing of the nations and may we be your instruments of peace. Amen.