The Message

2 Chronicles 6:24-25-40 The Message (MSG)

24-25. When your people Israel are beaten by an enemy because they’ve sinned against you, but then turn to you and acknowledge your rule in prayers desperate and devout in this Temple,Listen from your home in heaven;forgive the sin of your people Israel,return them to the land you gave to them and their ancestors.

26-27. When the skies shrivel up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, but then they pray at this place, acknowledging your rule and quit their sins because you have scourged them,Listen from your home in heaven,forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel.Then start over with them;train them to live right and well;Send rain on the landyou gave as inheritance to your people.

28-31. When disasters strike, famine or catastrophe, crop failure or disease, locust or beetle, or when an enemy attacks their defenses—calamity of any sort—any prayer that’s prayed from anyone at all among your people Israel, their hearts penetrated by disaster, hands and arms thrown out for help to this Temple,Listen from your home in heaven, forgive and reward us:reward each life and circumstance,For you know each life from the inside,(you’re the only one with such inside knowledge!),So they’ll live before you in lifelong reverence and believingobedience on this land you gave our ancestors.

32. And don’t forget the foreigner who is not a member of your people Israel but has come from a far country because of your reputation—people are going to be attracted here by your great reputation, your wonderworking power—and who come to pray to this Temple.

33. Listen from your home in heavenand honor the prayers of the foreigner,So that people all over the worldwill know who you are and what you’re like,And live in reverent obedience before you,just as your own people Israel do,So they’ll know that you personallymake this Temple that I’ve built what it is.

34-35. When your people go to war against their enemies at the time and place you send them and they pray to God toward the city you chose and The Temple I’ve built to honor your Name,Listen from heaven to what they pray and ask forand do what is right for them.

36-39. When they sin against you—and they certainly will; there’s no one without sin!—and in anger you turn them over to the enemy and they are taken captive to the enemy’s land, whether far or near, but repent in the country of their captivity and pray with changed hearts in their exile, “We’ve sinned; we’ve done wrong; we’ve been most wicked,” and turn back to you heart and soul in the land of the enemy who conquered them, and pray to you toward their homeland, the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you chose, and this Temple I have built to the honor of your Name,Listen from your home in heavento their prayers desperate and devout;Do what is best for them.Forgive your people who have sinned against you.

40. And now, dear God, be alert and attentive to prayer, all prayer, offered in this place.