I know so many of our hearts are breaking for the people of Ukraine right now. Many adding to their profile picture. Many praying. Crying out to God to move to protect and deliver. Crying out for justice. 

This morning I am reminded of the thread throughout scripture of how when people are desperate for God they often fast and repent. Not to have the magic formula to get God to do our bidding. But that our unrepented, unconfessed sin creates distance between us and Him. And on our end of the relationship we need to consider its impact to the power of our prayers. 

The Psalmist declares, “For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, (also translated, “regarded” let my sin remain, not turned away from it) the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalms 66:17-18)

In the book of James, the power of prayer is referenced. 

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous (standing in right relationship) person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16) 

Confession of our sin is connected to the power and productivity of our prayers.

God tells His people, in the often quoted text in Chronicles. In their time of desperate need, 

“IF My people…will humble THEMSELVES, will pray snd seek my face, and TURN /repent from THEIR sinful ways, then I will hear…” 

(2 Chronicles 7:14)This reality is woven throughout scripture. 

There’s something about our positioning ourselves in the place we truly belong, agreeing with the real truth, before God. Where we are humble, aligned under His authority and His ways, that invites His ear to hear and His mighty power to move. 

As John the baptizer prepared the path ahead of the Lord’s actions, He declared, “Repent!” “Make a straight, unblocked pathway for our God.” 

As I am heartbroken and crying out to God to please move on behalf of these innocent lives and bring justice, I am challenged. I am challenged to bring Him more than my empathy, more than my requests. I’m challenged to bring Him an offering that actually costs me something. My heart laid bare for Him to search and expose. And my swift confession and repentant turning away from the sin He exposes. The pride, the self-defined thoughts and ways that are contrary to His. The dependencies and go-tos other than Him. I want to do as King David said, “I will not offer to the Lord, something that costs me nothing.”

So I challenge any who read this. There is a time to pray, fast, repent, lament and grieve over our own sin. He promised help, power, mercy and grace to those who humble themselves. 

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” (James 4:7-10)

And let us be reminded from the same letter, “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” (James 5:17)