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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

2 Chronicles 7:14–16

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Let's unpack God's words to Solomon as we journey through this series together.

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Hungering for the presence of God

God is on the move. This is the time for our hearts to be awakened with a fresh desire for the indwelling presence of God. Where there is apathy, weariness and cynicism, God is longing to fill us with passion, faith and desire for his love and life. Where there is spiritual disconnection and isolation, God is seeking to draw us back into intimacy. He is inviting us to cry out for his presence. To relentlessly cry out in desperation. To ask, seek and knock. To hunger for the presence of God. This is the path towards awakening, renewal, revival – a path to our promised reward. For when we cry out to Him, He promises to gift us with His presence and His power. He promises to give us the Kingdom.

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In 2 Chronicles 7, we find some principles that make space for the presence of God. In this passage, Solomon is dedicating the temple – the place where God’s presence would be manifest – and God is revealing the conditions for His healing power and presence. This series will use some of the key elements that God speaks to Solomon as principles for awakening. May God grip our hearts with a renewed desire for the presence of God in this season of our church.