2 Chronicles 34:1-36:23
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Eph. 6:18)
The last days of the kingdom of Judah were filled with glorious triumphs (under Josiah) and ignominious defeats (under everyone else). But through it all, we can learn how to pray.
1. Pray for godly leaders, like Josiah, who can lead and influence and stay godly for a long time. Never underestimate how much good can be accomplished by doing the right thing day after day.
2. Pray that God would reveal the hidden sins of our hearts and smash our idols.
3. Pray for many faithful servants with abilities and zeal. The kingdom was not a one man show and neither is the church.
4. Pray that our hearts would be good soil for the word of God.
5. Pray for a commitment to obedience. We want disciples in our churches, not attenders.
6. Pray that we would party hearty and lament loudly. Let us celebrate God’s goodness unashamed and mourn when our sins and sufferings overtake us.
7. Pray for soft heats when we sin. Unlike Zedekiah, let us be quick to repentant. From superpower to exiles to resettlement, God was teaching his people two very simple lessons: (1) being disobedient doesn’t pay; (2) but when you are, humble yourself and I will lift you up once more.
