Introduction
All around us, as leaders, we long to see real change - in our families, in our neighborhoods, in our churches, and in our nation. We try different strategies, programs, and initiatives. Sometimes we pour so much energy into them, yet have you felt like - true and lasting transformation seems just out of reach.
It’s like pouring water into a leaking vessel. We keep filling it, but it never holds. That raises the question: How can we see our communities truly transformed?
Sub-Introduction
The answer takes us back to a quiet night in Jerusalem.
Solomon had just finished the greatest project of his reign: he built the temple - a magnificent house for God. Solomon prayed a long, heartfelt prayer, asking God to bless His people and His land whenever they prayed in that temple.
And then, in chapter 7, God responds. He appears to Solomon in the night and tell him, in essence: “This is how I’m going to bless the Land. Here is the pathway. Here’s how healing and restoration will flow into the land.”
And it had nothing to do with bigger armies, or better kings, or stronger strategies. It had everything to do with His people surrendering themselves wholly to Him.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – 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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Seeing transformation in the community begins with fulfilling God’s requirement.
And what is that?
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways…”(2 Chr 7:14)
I. God requires whole-hearted surrender from His people, the Leaders
Did you notice? God doesn’t start with nations, or governments, or institutions. He starts with His people. He starts with leaders. Throughout Scripture, we see how nations rose or fell based on the surrender of their leaders. When leaders surrender, it trickles down to communities.
We say surrender – 4 things - hat are the things he calls for in our surrender?
A. Humility
The first thing He calls for is humility. God says, “If My people will humble themselves…” (2 Chr 7:14a)
James 4:6 reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. As leaders, we must lay down pride in our titles, our achievements, even our own sense of control.
Even after winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, she asked that the banquet funds be given to the poor and chose to continue living in the same small room in the Missionaries of Charity convent. When reporters tried to praise her, she often said she was merely “a pencil in God’s hand,” pointing attention back to God rather than herself.
See, when we model humility before God, God’s power begins to flow in our communities.
B. Prayer
The second thing is prayer. God says, “…and pray…” Prayer is not performance; it is honest conversation with our Father. Jesus condemned the hypocritical prayers of the Pharisees, but He honored the desperate cry of the tax collector . When I think of honest prayer, I remember George Muller. He never asked men for help, yet through faith-filled prayers, God provided food for thousands of orphans day after day. As leaders, we must lead our churches, into that kind of real, vulnerable, faith-filled prayer - prayers for not just ourselves but out communities - that move the heart of God.
C. Hungry pursuit
The third requirement is a hungry pursuit. God says, “…seek My face…” Not just His blessings, not just His gifts - but His face. Just as physical hunger makes you search for food, spiritual hunger drives you to seek God until you’re satisfied in Him. History shows us that great revivals - like the Welsh Revival were not sparked by programs but by a handful of people hungry for God’s presence above all else. As Leaders we must cultivate that same hunger and teach others to desire God Himself more than His blessings.
D. Holy turning
And finally, God requires a holy turning. He says, “…and turn from their wicked ways.” Transformation always requires repentance - a turning away from sin and compromise. We all know the beautiful song – Amazing grace right? But did you know author of the song John Newton was a slave trafficker; captain of the slave ship. He had a dramatic conversion during the storm at sea. And he spent the rest of his life advocating for the abolition of slavery, so the entire slave community was blessed.
See, when we turn from sin, we clear the channel for God’s blessing to flow into our communities.
So what happens when leaders respond in surrender? God gives us His promise. He says, “Then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Our God
II. God’s promise when the leaders respond
And what exactly does God promise when leaders fully surrender?
A. First, He listens. He says, “I will hear from heaven” (2 chr 2:14). When leaders surrender and lead their people in prayer, heaven listens. Our cries, our intercessions, our whispered prayers. none of them are lost in the noise of life. I’m sure that each one of you can testify of an instance where you prayed wholeheartedly for someone going through a serious illness, a financial crisis, or a broken relationship and have seen doors opened - that no human strategy could achieve.
B. Second, He lifts the weight of sin. God says, “…I will forgive their sin.” When we come to Him in genuine repentance, God wipes away guilt and shame and restores us to wholeness. The freedom that follows is like breathing again after carrying a heavy load for years. Leaders who have tasted that kind of forgiveness become carriers of grace themselves. They create environments where others no longer hide in fear or shame but dare to be honest, knowing that mercy and restoration are possible.
C. And third, He liberates communities. God says, “…and I will heal their land.” For Israel, that meant rain, crops, peace, and prosperity. For us, it means renewal in our families, restoration in relationships, revival in our churches, and even justice in our society. History shows us that surrendered leaders transform communities. Racial discrimination was rampant in America when Martin surrendered to the Lord’s call and boldly confronted this sin. Through his life of osurrender bedience, God stirred the nation’s conscience and moved hearts toward justice and reconciliation.When leaders bow down before God, whole nations are lifted up.
Conclusion
So we come back to the question: Do we want to see our communities transformed? God has given us the pathway. Our communities will not be changed by our wisdom or programs, but by our surrender to Him. If we will humble ourselves, pray with honesty, seek Him with hunger, and turn from sin in holiness, He has promised to hear, to forgive, and to heal.
The question is not whether God is willing. The question is whether we are ready. Let us be that people, leaders who are surrendered, so that His healing and restoration may flow through us to our families, our workplaces, our churches, and even our nation.
