There is a distinct and real difference between “praying” and “seeking God”. The THEME Bible verse of a true Spiritual Awakening is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Here, it points out the progression from “humble”, to “pray”, to “seek God’s face”, to “turn from our wicked WAYS”. I have given a great deal of thought to the distinctions spelled out in this verse. And herein lies a KEY to a lacking in our prayer habits. We have become good at praying. We have books, and Bible studies, and seminars on the subject. Unfortunately, they are mostly about the need for, and the scheduling of prayer. But as to the emphasis of our praying, we have developed sort of a Vending Machine approach to God. Put your coins in the slot (or offering bag, plate or box) and select what we want. Don’t misunderstand the intent of what I am saying. The Bible makes it very clear that we are encouraged and invited to make our requests known unto God.

The serious problem, however, is that precious few of us are actively pursuing a relationship with GOD HIMSELF! We go after what we want and need FROM God, and clearly spell out what we expect or hope God will do. But He surely gets weary of only hearing “give me this, and give me that”. I know, as a parent, we would certainly get tired of only hearing “give me”. We would certainly hope for more than that from them.

So, when you read 2 Chronicles 7:14, you can see that a glaring need of today is that we would take time to desire God for GOD’S SAKE. Desire God for Himself! Seek God just because we want to get to KNOW Him, and be CLOSE to Him. It is all good, and fine, and very intellectual, to dwell on all the qualities, attributes, and Old Testament names of God. But what about GOD HIMSELF? How about making friends with Him (He already knows everything about you anyway).

Relationship is what is truly needed between us and the Good Lord! God fully anticipated our calculated and formulated approach to Him as time was running down. In the same chapter that Jesus offered us “The Lord’s Prayer” (Luke 11:2), He also warned us that “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? Then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW you!” And isn’t that also the key point that Jesus also makes in Revelation 2, when He tells the church at Ephesus, that they have “LEFT their FIRST LOVE”?

RELATIONSHIP! That is the often-missing ingredient in our lives and in our families and in our churches today. There is a great deal of emphasis on PRAYER today. That is excellent, and is needed. But let us go BEYOND request-oriented prayer, and begin to seriously and personally SEEK GOD HIMSELF IN OUR LIVES. Oh, and don’t forget to become truly HUMBLE. And also, He said “turn from our wicked WAYS. This is not just “wicked things”, but more importantly, “our wicked WAYS”. That’s the wicked stuff that goes on in our heads, that is hidden from everybody else — but that’s another blog.

It is time to SEEK THE LORD, not just ask Him for things! Become a serious seeker!