Hear our Needs

2nd Chronicles 6

I know that if I had a need or a request to ask of my family that they would be there for me. They have always wanted to be there and help in any way they can. When Alyssa and I first got married we needed a refrigerator and my grandparents got us one. When we are in need a family member is there for us. Even more than my blood family we have a Christian family that is big and they have always been there to meet our needs. 

We serve an amazing God will hears our requests and is there for his children. He listens and then acts to what is best for us. In this chapter after the Ark of the Covenant has been brought to the Temple we see Solomon addressing all of Israel and then he prays to God.

Solomon’s Prayer (12-42)

The start of Solomon’s prayer was with appreciation and praise to God. He said, “O Lord, God if Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart…” He started with appreciation of who God is. When you pray to start with appreciation? It is easy to skip this because we want our request to be heard or we want to not forget about what we ask. But part of praying is worshiping God and appreciating who he is. Solomon was humble as he knelt down before all of Israel and prayed.

Then Solomon just asked for God to hear his prayer. He says, “that even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built,” Then he says, “Yet you have regard for your servant to hear his plea.” How amazing to know the infinite God cares about us finite creation. When we pray we need to have the proper perspective, knowing who God is and who we are, his creation.

Solomon then list certain requests, whether it is for justice to take place against the sinner or for the foreigner that comes to praise God he will act according to his purpose and will. When you pray for your request, are they about forgiveness? Are they for your friends? Are they for family? What about your enemies? What about your leaders? What about the salvation of people? What about being convicted of sin that you are not aware of? These are questions we need to ask ourselves because we probably do not always do it.

Solomon then closes with a praise of, “Now, O my God, let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place.” Not just now but always and then he shares some praise of wisdom.

When you read this section what do you learn about prayer? What about how you pray? Do you pray? These are some good thoughts when we think about spending time with our Creator, the full of mercy and grace, saving God.  My family is dependent with hearing and being their for things I need but my God is even more dependable as he has never let me down. I pray we learn to trust in Him more and more everyday.