I Kings 4-8  Solomon builds the temple in Jerusalem.  All the descriptions are given and hard for me to visualize, but must have been absolutely beautiful.  In Chapter 8 we read about the dedication of this structure and Solomon's prayer.  Solomon seemed to have a good understanding of God.  His prayer is right on target.  It is hard to believe that Solomon would ever allow an idol into the kingdom... How does anyone go from this solid faith and devotion to the only True God to anything else?  We need to take heed of this, as a warning... for it can happen so subtly as sin creeps in at any small opening in our armor.

But, nevertheless, at this time in Solomon's life, he offers a prayer from a sincere heart and it is full of faith and truth.  The beautiful temple of Solomon no longer stands in Jerusalem.  It was corrupted and removed.. a treasure on earth that was subject to earthly moths and rust.  But, we have a treasure in heaven that will never rust and the moths can never touch.. a True Temple, a True place of God's Presence that we can look towards.. where God's Name is found.. Jesus Christ our Lord.  So the things that Solomon prayed, we can also pray, not looking towards a temple made by the hands of a man, but looking towards Jesus, who is greater!

"O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like Thee in heaven above or on earth beneath, who are keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Thy servants who walk before Thee with all their heart.."   Truth - The Lord is God.  There is none like Him.  He is faithful to do all that He has said.  We need to believe that with all of our hearts and walk in that Light.  Nothing is more important!

"Listen to the cry and to the prayer which Thy servant prays before Thee today;" ( v28)
" And listen to the supplication.... hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling place; hear and forgive." ( v30)
"... then hear Thou in heaven and act... " (v32)
"... then hear Thou in heaven and forgive the sin of Thy people.." ( v34)
".. then hear.. and forgive and... teach them the good way in which they should walk..." (v36)
".. whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, whatever prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Thy people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart, and spreading his hands towards this house; then hear in heaven Thy dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart Thou knows, for Thou alone dost know hearts of all the sons of men...." ( v37b-39)

"When they sin against Thee (for there is no man who does not sin) and Thou art angry with them ... if they take thought.. and repent and make supplication to Thee... if they return to Thee with all their heart and with all their soul... and pray to Thee... then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven Thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause and forgive Thy people who have sinned against Thee... and make them objects of compassion..."  (v46-50)

This is a truly heartfelt, Spirit led prayer.... the kind of prayer that is an example that we need to follow. Our Father hears our prayers from heaven.  He listens and acts. He forgives and teaches and shows compassion on us.  He knows our hearts.  But how often do we pray this way?  How often does our prayer time end up a laundry list of "Bless...so and so.."  We have the privilege of praying in the Name of Jesus. Let us pray prayers from the heart.

O Father, teach us to pray!