“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then i will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

—2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

Begin today by reading 2 Chronicles 7:11-16. Verse 14 in particular is often quoted when Christians talk about revival—and for good reason. But familiarity can cause us to miss the true weight of this passage.

God spoke these words to Solomon immediately after the dedication of the temple, when Israel was already experiencing a powerful movement of God. Fire had fallen, sacrifices were consumed, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. This was not a response to national failure; it was a prescription for sustaining spiritual life and renewal. God was teaching his people how to remain tender, dependent, and aligned with him.

Revival is not sustained by enthusiasm or religious activity alone. It is sustained by a people who continually humble themselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from sin. We often say we want a revival experience, but what we truly need is lasting change. This can only happen through humility. When we genuinely humble ourselves before the Lord, he often rearranges our priorities, challenges our comfort, and exposes areas of compromise in our lives.

Prayer and fasting play a vital role in this posture of humility. These disciplines place us in a position of dependence and invite God to work deeply in us. How humble and dependent is your posture toward God today? Ask him what change needs to happen in your heart to make room for lasting renewal.

Now read Luke 5:27–32. Through this story, we see how Jesus reveals the humble posture that God desires in his people.

Jesus was known for sharing meals with sinners and outsiders. He often socialized with people the religious leaders avoided. When Jesus was criticized for this, he exposed the deeper issue of the religious elite: self-righteousness. These leaders were consumed with pride and spiritual superiority. Their self-reliance blinded them to their genuine need to humbly turn to God.

The truth is that we are all in need of grace. Spiritual maturity does not remove that need. Instead, it deepens our awareness of it. A hunger for God strips away self-righteousness and replaces it with humility. When we truly understand our own need for mercy, we assume a posture of dependence and trust in God. Engaging in prayer and fasting are some critical ways that we develop and express that posture in our spiritual lives.

Where is there unhealthy pride or self-dependence in your life? Take time now to examine your heart. Ask God to reveal any traces of pride, judgment, or self-reliance. Invite him to replace those things with humility and God-centered dependence. God delights in drawing near and blessing those who humbly turn away from their sin and turn toward him in humble dependency.

Prayer:

“Lord, I humble myself before you. Search my heart and remove pride, self-righteousness, and anything that keeps me from seeking you fully. Teach me to love others the way Jesus loves and lead me into lasting renewal. I want to hunger for you and depend on you above all else.”

Daily Prayer Points:

Self-Reflection

• Pray that God would grant you true humility in all areas of life.

• Ask God to give you a heart to love your neighbor—particularly those who aren't like you.

Our Congregation

• Pray that our church's worship would not be hindered by a lack of reconciliation within our relationships.

• Pray that our church would reflect the Triune God by being a place of true unity and harmony between different ethnicities, cultures, and people groups. Pray that Bethel Church would transcend all earthly boundaries, for there is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, slave nor free.

Families in our Congregation

• Pray for the families of Bethel Church who have prodigal children. Pray for these children to return to Christ and for parents to love their children unconditionally.

Bethel Leadership

• Pray for the lead elders, campus elders, and deacons of Bethel Church. Pray that they would lead in humility and wisdom.

The NWI Region

• Pray for the churches in Northwest Indiana, perhaps mentioning some specific churches that are familiar to you. Pray that the saving reign of Christ would grow through the ministry of these local communities of faith.

Ministry Partners 

• Pray for our local ministry partners in Lake and Porter County, Indiana. Pray for Cedar Lake Ministries as they work to provide a life-changing environment for evangelism and spiritual growth to youth, adults, and families. Pray for Child Evangelism Fellowship as they conduct Good News Clubs in local schools. Pray for City Life Center as they provide children with fun, educational, extracurricular activities in Gary. 

• Pray for Rick and Mary Glover as they plant and shepherd Awana clubs in Indiana. Pray that children will be discipled in the Word and develop a personal relationship with Jesus. 

• Pray for the Women’s Center as they minister to women considering abortion. Pray that the Lord would reach the hearts of these women and that they would know the Lord is with them. 

Praises

• Praise the Lord for the difficult situations in your life and ask him to be glorified in you.

For Families:

Talk about what it means to be humble. Share examples of humility that you’ve seen in others and in the Bible. Help your kids understand that humility grows as we remember what God has done for us. Pray together, asking God to help your family live with humble hearts that trust him more than anything else.