Reading: II Chronicles 4 – 6
For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven, And said, O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like Thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto Thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their hearts (I Chr. 6:13-14).
One of the longest prayers recorded in Scripture is Solomon's Prayer of Dedication of the Temple (6:14-42). In length it is surpassed only by the prayer offered by the leaders of the Levites as they confessed the sins of Israel during the time that Nehemiah was governor of Judah (Neh. 9:5-38). Although Solomon’s prayer was uttered by a single man, it was offered from the united hearts of the entire nation. All the people were gathered around Solomon as he stood on a platform near the Brazen Altar. Before he opened his mouth to pray, he kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven.
Solomon’s physical preparation for prayer signaled to the entire nation what he was about to do. He was approaching God as his father, David, had taught him. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker (Ps. 95:6). Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord (134:2). He did not do these things to add a dramatic flair or an element of performance to his prayer; he did them to signal to both God and the gathered congregation that he, as both an individual and a representative of the entire nation, was humbling himself before almighty God. Solomon’s humble attitude of worship and adoration was revealed as he confessed in his opening words of prayer, O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like Thee in the heaven, nor in the earth.
There are many today that feel moved to follow the example of David, physically reaching out to God with lifted hands as their hearts and voices are lifted in prayer. Others are uncomfortable with public displays and feel that prayer is an intensely private affair. Neither of these approaches to prayer is inherently right or wrong. Jesus said: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matt. 6:6). The lesson that Christ sought to teach us is one of attitude and commitment, not a set pattern of physical behavior. As long as our hearts are privately seeking God instead of publicly seeking recognition, then the where and the how doesn’t matter.
At the time of the dedication of the temple, Solomon was deeply committed to God. His prayer came straight from the heart. Even though he was kneeling before thousands of people, he was still in private communion with God. As we pray, praise, and worship God today, we must ensure that we, too, are 100% focused on God. We should worship Him in whatever manner the indwelling Spirit leads us to, without worrying about the opinions of those around us.
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit (I Thess. 5:16-19).
Thought for Today: If, during prayer, our only concern is connecting with God, then when and where becomes irrelevant.
Christ Revealed: Through Solomon’s prayer to God (II Chr. 6:14). Jesus is God: I and My Father are One (John 10:30; 17:22; 1:1; I John 5:7-8).
Word Studies:4:2: molten sea = large metal, round basin; 4:22 censers = in cense burners; 6:10 room = throne of Israel; 6:24 be put to the worse = are defeated
Pray for Government Officials: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rep. John P. Sarbanes (MD), Rep. Sharice Davids (KS) • Country: New Caledonia (264,022) Southwest Pacific Ocean • Major Languages: French, 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects • Religious Freedom • 60% Roman Catholic; 30% Protestant; 10% Other (Other Christian, Muslim, Baha’i) • Prayer Suggestion: Bow before the Lord in a godly reverence as you pray and worship (Ex. 34:8). .
Optional reading I Corinthians 9.