Solomon was commanded to finish God’s temple, and when he did, God spoke to him. Verse 14 says that if God’s people tum from sin and wickedness, He will hear them and heal their land. God calls for purity in our lives. There is no formula to get your prayers answered. Nothing says, “If you do this and this and don’t do this, then your request will come true.” There are, however, things that prohibit our prayers; pride and sin are two of them. We can’t live in sin and disobedience and then tum to God and expect Him to make it better. The sovereign God of the universe is not your maid or genie. He is the gracious Lord of creation, deserving of our affections, time, hearts and lives. For us to think otherwise is a lack of humility on our behalf.

• Do you think God is worthy of all of you? Why?