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 forgive their sins and heal their land” (2 Chr 7: 14).

In chapter 6, Solomon asked God to make provision for people when they sinned. God responded with four conditions for forgiveness:
• Humble yourself by admitting your sins.
• Pray to God and ask for forgiveness.
• Seek God continually.
• Turn away from all sinful behavior.
True repentance is not just words: it is changing behavior. Whether we sin individually, as a group, or as a nation, following these steps will lead to forgiveness.
God will answer our sincere prayers.
Ten Reasons Why Prayers Go Unanswered
God’s answers to prayer are
“Yes”, “No”, “Wait a little”, “Are you joking” (Mat 20:20-35).
First, before you pray, ask yourself
1• Do I belong to God’s family? (Jn 10:16).
2• Do I listen to his response to my requests?
Prayer is a conversation with God, especially with His covenant partners. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and I am known to mine…and they will hear my voice” (Jn 10:14,16).
“And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:3,4).
“And whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13,14).

2:14 p.m. When Jesus says that we can ask anything, we must remember that our request must be in his name, that is, according to the character and will of God. God will not grant requests contrary to His nature or His will, and we cannot use His name as a magic bullet to satisfy our selfish desires. If we sincerely follow God and seek to do His will, then our requests will be consistent with what He wants and He will grant them (see also 15:16; 16:23).
• Prayers not prayed (James 4:2).
• Unconfessed sin (Ps 66:18; Ps 18:41; Prov. 15:29; 28:9; Isaiah 1:15; 59:1,2: 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 1:9).
• Unbelieving spirit (James 1:6-8).
• Unjust motives (James 4:3-5; 1Jn 5:14,15; Ps 37:9,10,20,35,36,38).
• Unresolved conflicts (Matt 5:23,24).
• Merciless toward the poor (Prov. 21:13; Isaiah 58).
• The husband does not honor his wife (1 Peter 3:7).
• When the request is false (James 4:3).
• The timing is bad (Isaiah 55:6; Amos 8:11-13).
• Something bad is happening in our lives (Isaiah 5:8-25; 58:1,2; 1Sam 28:6; Ezekiel 8 see v.18).
(1) “Are you kidding”
Read Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45: The request of the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons.
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