Mar. 18: Concert of Prayer

I went to a concert last night unlike any I'd been to before. I'm used to concerts with pounding music, where you can feel the beat of the drum in your chest, replacing your own heart's rhythm. I'm accustomed to concerts with pyrotechnics, laser light shows, large screens projecting larger-than-life images of the singers and musicians.

I've also been to concerts where the instruments are not electric, coat and tie are the required attire, and one uses only the best of their manners and etiquette. I have enjoyed evenings with the finest of classically trained musicians interpreting the compositions of Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.

Last night was different. Last night was a Concert of Prayer. Instead of listening to musicians perform, the people who were gathered produced the sounds intended for God, our Audience of One.

We believe God hears:
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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

So our prayer was that of the ancients:
"Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people...hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
When your people have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, and when they turn back to you and confess your name, praying and making supplication to you... then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people...
When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray and confess your name and turn from their sin... then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people.

When disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people... then hear from heaven, your dwelling place.

When we sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you become angry with them and give us over to the enemy... if we have a change of heart...and repent and plead with you... and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if we turn back to you with all their heart and soul... and pray to you, then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear our prayer and their plea, and uphold our, and forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses we have committed against you.
(1 Kings 8:30-51)

We believe God inhabits our praise and answers our prayers, and that the prayers of people who love Him is "Music to His ears".

~ Father, tune my heart to sing Your praise, and to make prayer a conversational life-line that never gets disconnected. Amen.