I very recently started a prayer journal. I did it to be intentional and specific in my prayers. Before, I would start to pray and probably didn’t give fullness to my words, or could become distracted by my own thoughts in the middle of a prayer. But something about writing them out, finishing sentences, sitting in that space, felt more complete.
When I started reading Solomon’s prayers at the dedication of the temple, I slowed down. When I would probably rush or skim over long dialogue, this time, I stayed in that space to pay attention to his petition to the Lord.
54 When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. 55 He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:
56 “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57 May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 58 May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. 59 And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, 60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. 61 And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” (1 Kings 8:54-61, NIV)
His prayer mentions a lot of things: being chosen, being sinful, God’s mercy, his presence. The God Solomon prayed to at the dedication of the temple is the same God today. Who kept promises. Who showed mercy. Who provided. The words that Solomon prayed, that they would be near to the Lord our God day and night … he is the same God who hears my prayers.
Words of a king. Words of a daughter. So that all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. Prayer is such a precious way to be near to a holy God.
Father God, thank you that you hear prayers and catch tears. Thank you that you are near. May my heart be fully committed to you, to live by your decrees and obey your commands, to honor you and bring you glory.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 