I Chronicles 29 This final chapter sums up David's provisions for the House of the Lord.. so much gold and silver and bronze, etc.  He gave more from his personal belongings and when he asked who else was willing to give.. they did.. and they all rejoiced!  David's prayer, recorded here is another one that we can learn from and pray for our own generation..

"Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of Israel our father forever and ever. Thine O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O Lord, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all." ( v 11)  David goes on to praise the Lord, confessing that everything they were able to give had come from His Hand.. and that even the willingness to give was from Him too.  "Since I know, O my God, that Thou tries the heart and delightest in uprightness, I , in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Thy people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to Thee." (v17)

David makes these two requests to the Lord.. "preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Thy people, and direct their heart to Thee; and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Thy commandments.." (v18-19) 

".. preserve the intentions".. the thoughts of the heart - David prays that the people of God would continue to direct their hearts.. willingly.. to serve and give and worship the Lord their God.  This prayer is my prayer for the Church, the Body of Christ - that our hearts would keep "stayed" on Him who gives perfect peace, the One in whom we trust.  May our hearts be ever thinking about our Lord.. to keep Him first, to trust Him fully, to continually worship Him with all praise and thanksgiving and to always give willingly and joyfully to His glory. 

"..give my son.. a perfect heart to keep Thy commandments.."  - a wholeheartedness to obey the will and instruction of God's Word.  What a bold thing to ask!  Lord, give my child a "perfect heart".. a heart to obey, to walk in truth and faith, to fully surrender to the will of God.  This is a powerful prayer!

Father in heaven, You are great and Your power is vast; Your wisdom is beyond understanding.  You have determined the number of stars and You call them by name.  Nothing is impossible for You.  We sing Your praises and exalt Your Holy Name.  Father, we pray, like David, that You would preserve the hearts of Your people.. keep us from slipping, keep us from compromising with the culture of our world, and keep us from neglecting Your Word and Your Spirit.  You are our salvation.. the protecting helmet  that shields our heads in the battle for our souls. Keep our thoughts captive to Christ Jesus, that we might be fully Yours. We pray for our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren, that they might have perfect hearts to keep Your Word, to love You with all their hearts, minds, souls, and strength.  We ask these things in the name of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. Amen.