2 Chronicles 6:23
“Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.”
Someone once asked me, “Bro. Domelle, is there ever a bad time to pray?” Of course, my answer was, “No!” There is never a bad time to pray. Anytime is a good time to talk to the LORD. Prayer should not be be allotted to a specific time, though I do believe you ought to have a specific time when you pray daily, but prayer should also be a regular part of your day. Instead of having a prayer time, you should have a prayer life.
There are some specific times when God wants to hear from you. In 2 Chronicles 6, there were some specific times when Solomon asked God to hear his prayer. Those times when Solomon asked God to hear his prayer are a good time for you to pray to God. Let me show you these times when God specifically wants to hear from you.
First, God wants to hear from you when you sin against others. Verse 22 shows us that Solomon made it specific that He wanted God to forgive him when he sinned against others. You must be careful that you don’t let your shame keep you from praying to God. If there is ever a time when you need to pray, it is when you have done wrong to someone else. Go to God and confess your sin, and ask Him how you can get right with that person.
Second, God wants to hear from you when you are losing. Solomon asked God in verse 24, to hear him when they were put to the worse before their enemy. When you feel like life is against you and you are losing and not gaining, this is a good time to ask God to show you what you are doing wrong. Stop trying to figure it out yourself, and ask God to show you what you are doing wrong so you can change it.
Third, God wants to hear from you when you are afflicted. In verse 28, Solomon specifically asked God to hear their prayer when they were afflicted. Instead of running to doctors and psychiatrists, run to God for his help. When sickness afflicts you, pray to God. When trials afflict you, pray to God. When life brings its afflictions, pray to God and ask for His deliverance. Part of the reason God allows you to be afflicted is because He wants to hear from you.
Fourth, God wants to hear from you when you are traveling. In verse 32, Solomon asked God to hear the prayer of the stranger who is traveling. Nearly every week of my life I travel to some destination to preach. Whenever I start a trip, I always start it out in prayer. It would be good to ask God to be with you when you’re traveling. God could keep you from going to wrong places. If you would pray when you’re traveling, you would see that God can keep you from temptations that traveling brings. Don’t leave God at home when you travel, but bring Him along as you travel.
God wants to hear from you when you are at war. In verse 34, Solomon specifically asked God to help them when they were at war. If you serve the LORD for any length of time, you are going to fight battles. It would be good to ask for God’s help when fighting battles in your life. Ask God if you have done anything wrong to cause the battle. If He shows you that you are the fault of the battle, then change your actions. Also, ask God to give you wisdom to win the battle for Him. Battles are not pleasant, but God can give you wisdom to win them so that His name is glorified.
Certainly, every time is a good time to pray. Yet, the times mentioned above are good times to set aside to pray. The next time you face one of these times, make it a time to pray and watch how God delivers you from whatever you face.