We’ve been traveling for nearly two weeks. This has been a good trip. We are seeing a portion of the United States we haven’t explored. In the photo above, is Grandfather Mountain near Boone, NC. Can you see the profile of grandfather?

We have been enjoying the beautiful colors here as well. Tourists flock to the mountains to see the colors. Below is the Catawba River.

Catawba River

As we walked in the mountains near the cabin where we stayed, there were some very old dwellings–the oldest in the county. We also saw large, beautiful “cabins,” with hot tubs, huge decks to enjoy the beauty surrounding the area. The homes had many more square feet and much better accommodations than the humble photos below.

The past few weeks, I’ve been focusing on prayer. As I read Scripture, I notice God sets some parameters on praying to Him. One is humility. I looked up the word used as a verb and it says, “to lower in condition, importance, or dignity.”

We are far from a humble society. We think we’re pretty good. We’ve done much to improve our world. Bathrooms with flush toilets, soaking tubs, hot tubs, and showers. We have multiple rooms. We have mighty buildings and edifices that promote ourselves.

I read in the Old Testament the following:

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).

These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word (Is. 66:2b NIV).

And in the words of Jesus–who is God,

  For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 18:14 NIV).

I think our only hope is prayer. And to do that is to humble ourselves and pray. Will you join me?

My husband and I have committed ourselves to pray and fast some days this month. Do we want to move heaven? Based on the scriptures I’ve included, we must pray with humility and repentance. The Psalms says:

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God (Psalm 51:15 NLT).

We are a proud–and yes, arrogant people here in our country.Pray with me–to humble ourselves and pray.