II Chronicles 1-5  Solomon built the temple just as David had hoped.  It must have been so beautiful and amazing.  He brought the ark that David had placed in Jerusalem up to the new temple.. carefully following the Law's requirements. Thousands of offerings were sacrificed.. music and praises were lifted up to the Lord.. and then "the glory of the Lord filled the house of God." 

Solomon started out so well.  He asked the Lord for wisdom and knowledge to lead Israel.  He was obedient to his father's wishes to built the temple.  He acknowledged that the Lord had fulfilled His promises to David. Solomon's prayer of dedication reveals his understanding that this was indeed meant to be a house of prayer. 

Chapter 6 contains Solomon's prayer.  Kneeling "in the presence of all the assembly of Israel..[he] spread out his hands towards heaven. And he said, ' O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no god like Thee in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Thy servants who walk before Thee with all their heart..' "  Solomon, knowing that a mere building, no matter how grand, could never contain the God who could not even be contained in "highest heaven".. prayed that He would listen to the cries and the prayers of His servants prayed toward this place. 

Solomon prayed for true justice.. the wicked punished and the righteous justified. (v22-23)

Solomon prayed for those defeated by the enemy to find forgiveness and restoration. (v24-25)

Solomon prayed that when famines came because of the sins of the people.. and they repented and called out to Him, that God would "forgive" and "teach them the good way in which they should walk". (v26-27)

Solomon prayed that prayers for forgiveness and healing would be heard and answered. (v28-31)

Solomon prayed that the prayers of foreigners would be heard.. "in order that all the peoples of the earth may know.." the Name of the Lord. (v32-33)

Solomon prayed for the warriors, for the rebellious, and for the repentant. (v34-39)

"Now, O my God, I pray Thee, let Thine eyes be open, and Thine ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place." (v40)

The beautiful temple no longer stands.. but we have a Savior and His eyes are open and His ears attentive to the prayers offered in His Name. Hallelujah!

Father, we pray for true justice.. that the wicked are punished and the righteous justified. We pray for the sinner to repent and the lost to be saved. We pray that all the peoples of the earth would know Your Name and to worship You alone.  Thank You for teaching us the good way to walk. Thank You for hearing our prayers and knowing our needs. Thank You for healing and restoration.. for the forgiveness of our sins by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.. who once and for all paid the price for us. We praise and worship You.. the uncontainable God who has given us life and truth. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.