“May you watch over this Temple day and night, this place where you said you would put your name…May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.”
2 Chronicles 6:20-21 NLT
As Solomon knelt in front of the entire community of Israel to dedicate the Temple, he lifted his hands toward heaven and prayed, “Oh LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven and earth.”
What a way to begin—There is no God like You! If I honestly believed that, I would never doubt again! Much of Solomon’s prayer focused on God, and is a great model to follow. Please join me as I paraphrase his prayer and make it my own.
God, YOU always keep your promises. YOU show unfailing love to me when all I do is open my heart for relationship with You. What an overwhelming honor to know You. The highest heavens cannot even contain You, so how can YOU live in my frail temple? And why would you want to?
Even so, please listen to the cries of my heart, Oh LORD; hear the requests I make. And may YOU watch over this temple day and night, this place where YOU promised to dwell. May You always hear the prayers I pray to You from the depths of my soul. Please hear me, even when I wander, even when I disappoint you. And when you hear me, please forgive me.
Focusing on God always gives me rest because…
HE watches over this temple day and night!
