This temple was the House of Prayer. It was the residence of God’s presence and bore the name of God. The temple was not just about rituals and religious events. It was also more than to foreshadow the Christ that was to come. The temple was also about the here and now. This was the place for prayers. The people could bring the vagaries of life and the threats from surrounding nations to the attention of God.
After all, the temple had the name of God. He would be solely responsible for defending the honour of His name. The responsibility of the Israelites was to pray. God told His subjects anthropomorphically that His eyes (v40), ears (v40) and heart would be there (temple) perpetually (1 Kings 9:3). It was, in simple words, easily understood by His subjects. What a great description that secures our trust and also co-operation in the blessed arena of prayer.
So, this begs the question of, when are we going to pray? Who will be the focus of our prayer? What are the prayer items we could bring to God (v12-39)?
An Invitation to Prayer (v19-39)
Below is the prayer list, though not exhaustive but comprehensive.
- When His servants prayed, supplicated and cried to God, He would regard, listen, eyes open and hear them (v19-21).
- God would judge in His House between the offended and the offender. He would justify the righteous and bring retribution to the wicked (v22,23).
- Israel was defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against God. They returned and confessed His Name and pray and make supplication (v24,25).
- There was no rain because Israel has sinned against God. They prayed and confessed His name and turned from their sin (V26,27).
- The burdened and grieved should spread out his hand in prayer when there was a famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness. (v28,29).
- Even a foreigner could call on God’s great name, His mighty hand and His outstretched arm in His temple (v32,33).
- God’s people should pray when they battle against their enemies or wherever God sent them (v34,35).
- God’s people in captivity to repent, supplicate and return to God with all their heart and soul (v36-39).
Solomon, in his earnest ways, tried to secure God’s guarantee for his people. The temple’s prayer must work, for it had the name of God in it. He implored God to be attentive for which God replied that he would be all eyes, ears and heart at the temple.
In closing his prayer, he asked God not to turn his face away from him. Who wants to be turned away disappointed? Who wants to make God the adversary? Solomon reminded God of the mercies his father had experienced. The same mercies would ensure that God would not be punishing His people even though they deserved it (v21,24,27,30, 39).
The people could freely offer their prayers and repentance in the House of Prayer. In the same manner, they could receive His favours and forgiveness freely. A divine exchange later sealed by the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is the power and the essence of prayer.
