Over the years, I have heard many people reference this passage when praying for America. Usually, they put a strong emphasis on the phrase ‘if my people’ as if YHWH was talking about America.
WHO WAS GOD TALKING TO IN THIS PASSAGE?
The context tells us that this was when Solomon was dedicating the Temple. After it had been accomplished the Lord appeared to Solomon and, among other things, gave him this promise. So the first application was to Israel. But as is true with many of the promises of God, there can be other applications.
Does it apply to America? It certainly can, but because it can does not mean that we should think of ourselves as having a ‘favored nation’ standing before God simply because we are America! And this is how I have heard it used many times. It appears to me that it can be applied to anyone who meets the conditions mentioned herein.
THE CONDITIONS
“If my people who are called by my name…” Anyone who has a genuine relationship with the Lord.
“…will humble themselves…” Place themselves secondary to the Lord.
“…and pray…” Intercede on behalf of someone beyond themselves.
“…and seek my face…” To discern His will, fellowship with Him.
“…and turn from their wicked ways…” Repent. Follow His ways.
“Then…” Now they have a relationship and fellowship with Him and He can begin to do things for and in them.
“…I will hear from heaven…” Old Testament people basically assumed that YHWH dwelt in heaven. We know under the New Covenant that Jesus lives in us.
“…and forgive their sins…” Self-explanatory.
“…and heal their land.” This seems to imply that He will heal, deliver, and make right all that is wrong. Perhaps it has both present and future manifestations.
So, should we use this passage when praying for our country today? Yes. But do so with the understanding that as Americans we are not something special with God more than other nationalities. All who KNOW the Lord and have made Him their Lord can claim these promises continually.