September 14 | 1 Kings 8:35-51
PRAYER PRACTICE
Lectio: Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.
DAILY READING:
1 Kings 8:35-51
For more help use this Bible Study method
REFLECTION
Then Hear From Heaven, Your Dwelling Place
by Tom Richards
Today we read a portion of King Solomon’s “Prayer of Dedication” for the Temple, which he built in obedience to God’s command. Solomon offered this prayer “before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel” (1 Kings 8:22).
As I read and re-read this passage, I noticed a consistent request in each paragraph. Solomon asks God to “hear from heaven” (see verses 36, 39, 43, 45, 49) the prayers of his people. Solomon outlines different challenges that the Israelites might face which will result in the need for prayer:
Verses 35 - 36 = weather – “there is no rain”
Verses 37 – 40 = famine, plague, blight, mildew, locusts, grasshoppers, an enemy
Verses 41 – 43 = instruction for foreigners
Verses 44 – 45 = war
Verses 46 -51 = sin and resulting captivity
It is interesting to note that this prayer was offered to God in front of the whole assemb