WE MUST PRAY AND ASK TO BE FORGIVEN

Proclamation:

“Hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place.  Hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive."  1 Kings 8:30 (NIV)

Explanation:

These written Holy Spirit inspired words were part of King Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple which had just been completed.  He asked The Lord God to hear His people when they prayed to Him, and to forgive them when they asked for forgiveness of their sins.

Application:

Christ died on the cross to pay the price for our sins.  However, to be forgiven for our sins we must repent, confess, and ask to be forgiven.  Christ came into this world to die for our sins. (John 1:29)  When Jesus preached, His message was that we should repent. (Matthew 4:17)  Our salvation is based upon our confession and our belief. (Romans 10:9)  The Lord God said that He would hear us and forgive us of our sins if we would humble ourselves, and pray, and seek Him, and turn from our sinful ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  If we want to be forgiven, we have to pray to God and ask to be forgiven, but first we need to humble ourselves, confess, and change our behavior, then He will hear and answer our prayer.