2 Samuel 19-21

When is God "moved" by our prayers? I have become more and more convinced that God moves when we most earnestly pray. I have offered many a quaint prayer, "Help this person...," "Watch over that one...," "Be with so-and-so...," "Save that man...," but I look back and wonder how much He got involved. It is true that we need not beat our chests and tear our clothes every petition we make, but I do think that God desires fervent, sincerely empathetic and "righteous" prayer.

James 5:16 speaks to this, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

Our narrative today illustrates the point well. 2 Samuel 21:14b says, "[A]nd after that God was moved by prayer for the land." What moved God that He would relent? Let's look back.

During the reign of David there came a three-year-long famine. David sought the Lord in the matter, presumably asking why. David realized this was God's chastening of His people, David knew it wasn't just random chance... this ill had come upon them for a reason. David wanted to know what he and his people were doing wrong. God responses after David sought the presence of the Lord. Maybe it is a OT colloquium to express this action of prayer as "seeking the presence of the Lord," but I believe in these words we have a valuable lesson to learn...

David did not merely throw up words to God as a Cosmic Servant. It was not a monologue with a divine audience. Rather David sought His presence. He sought a dialogue in the company of Deity. All too often I throw out a list of prayers, much like an order at a fast food restaurant. "I'll have a ...." I issue my requests but never take time to seek the face of God, instead just hoping He'll get the order, even as flippantly I release it from my lips, and that He will get the order right, answering my whims.

But David sought God's input. And guess what? He got it. This led to actions of retribution for the wrongs done. Notice that David as he humbly sought God's perspective was not doing it in word only. He was ready to respond. Once he did then finally the land was healed "after that, [as] God was moved by prayer for the land."

Real prayer sought the presence and input of God. Real prayer called for a response by those who prayed. Real prayer moved God to respond.

The verse in James echos this same message. There is humility, action and fervent petition, and the results are the same, it can accomplish much.

How do you pray? This is truly a learning experience for me. I confess I have much to learn about seeking God in prayer. But I know that Scripture calls for a contrite spirit. That has been my prayer for the past week or so, God change my heart... break my heart to seek You and to learn to walk in Your ways. I need to seek His presence. What about you?