Since becoming the Regional Youth Coordinator last June I have constantly been asking God, ‘What do you want us to do? Our region covers thousands of miles, dozens of countries, and hundreds of languages and cultures.  Who are we?  What are we supposed to be about?’  Thankfully God is always working ahead of us if we will just take the time to listen.

In 2 Chronicles Solomon had just dedicated his masterpiece, the temple, to the Lord.  It was a huge event full of celebration and ceremony.  The first seven chapters of 2 Chronicles is only about the preparation and dedication of the temple.  This was such a big deal because the temple was the symbol of God’s presence to Israel.  The temple was their reminder that God was with them.  But sometimes people put their hope in the temple and not in the God of the temple.  But God knew this.  Like a parent he knew that his children would mess up.  God said “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then i will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

In prayer we hear from God.  Prayer is our time with God.  The more time you spend with a friend the closer your friendship becomes. The same is true with God.  When we spend time with God he begins to change us, to make us look more like him.  He removes our selfish and rebellious heart and gives us a soft heart that is able to hear Him.  He gives us His plans and His visions for how He wants to bring back all humans to Himself.

I don’t know exactly what God wants from our region, but I do know this.  He wants us, together, as One to pray, to seek his face, to turn from any evil ways, to listen to His visions and plans for us. The biggest danger for Christians, and turn-off for youth is knowing about God but not knowing God! God has promised He will heal our land!  He will heal your land! The only question that remains is, will we do it? Will we make prayer a priority in our lives? In our churches? In NYI in our nations?