6 February 2024
Have regard to your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; that your eyes may be open night and day towards this house, the place of which you said, “My name shall be there”, that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays towards this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray towards this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling-place; heed and forgive.
From 1 Kings 8:22-23,27-30, NRSV
Today we hear King Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the new Temple in Jerusalem. Solomon begins confidently giving praise for God’s fidelity and kindness towards the people of Israel. Solomon’s prayer then turns to petition, asking that the Lord’s name shall dwell in the Temple. Solomon realises that God cannot be fully contained by a building, but wants the people to believe in the power of God’s name so that they can trust that their prayers will be heard and answered in this place. Solomon knew that the history of his people was one of repeated unfaithfulness and so he ends his prayer with a plea for what they needed most – for forgiveness.
- What impact do you think Solomon’s prayer had on those who heard it?
- Is Solomon’s prayer a good model for our own prayer?
Pray for those who maintain and protect all the special places where God’s name dwells.
