Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit

Ephesians 6:13,18
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
18  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Praying, watching and persevering as we continue to live life on earth. Our God has given us all the necessary armor to stand, defend and offense. The things that we come against are not the natural and physical but rather the spiritual. Besides coming externally, the spiritual enemy also attack us internally in causing us to embrace the things which we know are wrong, yet difficult to stop doing. It is more than a psychological battle, or using will power. The tools to overcome this is the armor of God which has been explained in Scriptures.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit

Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit

Different people have got different ways of praying. It is not terribly nice to hear that our praying ways are wrong. But does God have a preferred way of praying? Like in most things spiritual, the Word of God is our best guide. And this verse says to pray in the Spirit, that is without our own thinking, but giving it over to the Holy Spirit.

He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek

The role and purpose of the priesthood is explained. The priests are chosen among men to carry out the rituals of gifts and sacrifice and also to have compassion on others. But since the priests are mere men, they too have sins which they also have to atone for. Interesting that it says no man takes the honor of priesthood on himself.

The reason for explaining the priesthood is to introduce Messiah Y'shua as our ultimate perfect High Priest. The priesthood of Christ is far and above the Levitical priesthood. In fact the priesthood of Christ is compared to the mysterious priest-king Melchizedek who seemed to be a true worshipper of the Living God. This priesthood of Christ rather complex to explain and the author warns the readers not to be dull of hearing in order to understand. In fact the author criticises the readers who should know and understand better this priesthood of Messiah, but instead they were immature such that they need to be taught about the basics all over again.






Hebrews 5
Qualifications for High Priesthood

1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

A Priest Forever

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”[a]
6 As He also says in another place:

“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;[b]
7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Spiritual Immaturity

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure

In this chapter Paul teaches about relationship or how to treat others. In particular the ways to treat widows are listed. For the younger widows, since they are still generally active, Paul was suggesting that they re-marry. In the second part of this chapter, we are taught to honour the elders. These teachings rather than rules are meant to promote a fairer and more tolerant society, even among a society of believers. This is also to prevent incorrect judgment being made too quickly or too easily overlooking sinfulness.




1 Timothy 5
Treatment of Church Members

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Honor True Widows

3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and[a] acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or[b] woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

Honor the Elders

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,”[c] and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”[d] 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God

Paul was giving some very casual yet worthwhile encouragement. A few women was named in particular including Euodia and Synthche. Paul's encouragement is to rejoice, treat others kindly, not to be anxious, but use prayer, supplication and thanksgiving to God. The motivation for this is that the Lord is coming.

Paul talks about spending our time on meditating (not the Eastern style) on things which are good, virtuous and praiseworthy. In doing so, it reminds us of the good things and hence the source of all goodness who is God. In doing so, God's peace will be with us.

Paul praises the generosity of the Philippians for their support. He recognized that their provisions is actually sowing into God's work, and not to support him personally. Paul has always been well supplied by God and here he gives the remarkable insight that his God, who is Jehovah Jireh the Provider, will supply not only the needs of the missionary but the needs of the donors and supporters of the mission, according to the riches and glory of Jesus Christ.

Incredibly, Paul finishes the letter with greetings from Caesar's household. This indicates his success, through Christ, in converting the Romans, perhaps even the family of his captors to Christ.




Philippians 4

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And[a] I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippian Generosity

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ[b] who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greeting and Blessing

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.[c] Amen.

Cast your Burden on the LORD, And He shall Sustain you

David describes his dire situation as fearful, trembling, overwhelmed by horror - to the point that he wished he could fly away. He poured out his burdens to God, about his enemies who are wicked and hated him.

In the middle of the psalm David describes a curious enemy who he seemed to know well and had betrayed him. He describes him as "a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance". Despite the pain of this betrayal, David was committed to rely on God to save him as he continues to pray to God.

A verse of encouragement from here is: "Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. "



Psalm 55
To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments.[a] A Contemplation[b] of David.

 1 Give ear to my prayer, O God,
         And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
 2 Attend to me, and hear me;
         I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,
 3 Because of the voice of the enemy,
         Because of the oppression of the wicked;
         For they bring down trouble upon me,
         And in wrath they hate me.
        
 4 My heart is severely pained within me,
         And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
 5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me,
         And horror has overwhelmed me.
 6 So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
         I would fly away and be at rest.
 7 Indeed, I would wander far off,
         And remain in the wilderness.  Selah 
 8 I would hasten my escape
         From the windy storm and tempest.”
        
 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues,
         For I have seen violence and strife in the city.
 10 Day and night they go around it on its walls;
         Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.
 11 Destruction is in its midst;
         Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.
        
 12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me;
         Then I could bear it.
         Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me;
         Then I could hide from him.
 13 But it was you, a man my equal,
         My companion and my acquaintance.
 14 We took sweet counsel together,
         And walked to the house of God in the throng.
        
 15 Let death seize them;
         Let them go down alive into hell,
         For wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.
        
 16 As for me, I will call upon God,
         And the LORD shall save me.
 17 Evening and morning and at noon
         I will pray, and cry aloud,
         And He shall hear my voice.
 18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
         For there were many against me.
 19 God will hear, and afflict them,
         Even He who abides from of old.  Selah 
         Because they do not change,
         Therefore they do not fear God.
        
 20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him;
         He has broken his covenant.
 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter,
         But war was in his heart;
         His words were softer than oil,
         Yet they were drawn swords.
        
 22 Cast your burden on the LORD,
         And He shall sustain you;
         He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
        
 23 But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction;
         Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days;
         But I will trust in You.

LORD is my strength and my shield

David is one who has prayed to God throughout most of his life; from the time when he was a boy asking for God's help to fight off wild animals, to his encounter with Goliath, his fleeing the mad king Saul, when he was the undisputed king of the land and when he is at old age. This Psalm could have been written at any point in his life.

David prays to God and expects God to answer and speak to him. He would not be satisfied with a silent God. No doubt God speaks to David throughout his whole life. He contrasts his genuine call to God with the wicked people who speak peace but with evil in their hearts.

David reminds us again that the LORD is his strength and shield. He trusts God, praises God and just rejoice at the goodness of God.




Psalm 28

A Psalm of David.

 1 To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock:
         Do not be silent to me,
         Lest, if You are silent to me,
         I become like those who go down to the pit.
 2 Hear the voice of my supplications
         When I cry to You,
         When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
       
 3 Do not take me away with the wicked
         And with the workers of iniquity,
         Who speak peace to their neighbors,
         But evil is in their hearts.
 4 Give them according to their deeds,
         And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;
         Give them according to the work of their hands;
         Render to them what they deserve.
 5 Because they do not regard the works of the LORD,
         Nor the operation of His hands,
         He shall destroy them
         And not build them up.
       
 6 Blessed be the LORD,
         Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
         My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
         Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
         And with my song I will praise Him.
       
 8 The LORD is their strength,[a]
         And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
 9 Save Your people,
         And bless Your inheritance;
         Shepherd them also,
         And bear them up forever.

Give Ear to my Words, O LORD; Do Not Rebuke me in Your Anger

In prayer, cry out to God, that's how David approaches God. God is merciful and faithful and David can always turn to God when faced with his enemies. God defends those who trust in him and bless the righteous; surrounds them with a shield. Obviously none is righteous by our own means - but only through faith which God counts as righteousness.

The next psalm sounds like David has displeased the LORD in some way and he realized this. Instead of denying it, he brings his sins up to God and asks God not to be angry at him. Not sure if the Psalm was written at David's old age hence the reference of weakness and bone trouble, but it can also mean weakness in spirit which led David to cry out to God. He comes to God with a lowly spirit and a contrite heart. In this psalm, David expresses his grief; but following his prayers to God, he had full confidence that his prayers is heard by God who will deal with his enemies.



Psalm 6

To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. On an eight-stringed harp.[b] A Psalm of David.

 1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
         Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
 2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;
         O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
 3 My soul also is greatly troubled;
         But You, O LORD—how long?
       
 4 Return, O LORD, deliver me!
         Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!
 5 For in death there is no remembrance of You;
         In the grave who will give You thanks?
       
 6 I am weary with my groaning;
         All night I make my bed swim;
         I drench my couch with my tears.
 7 My eye wastes away because of grief;
         It grows old because of all my enemies.
       
 8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
         For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
 9 The LORD has heard my supplication;
         The LORD will receive my prayer.
 10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
         Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

Psalm 5

To the Chief Musician. With flutes.[a] A Psalm of David.

 1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,

         Consider my meditation.

 2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,

         My King and my God,

         For to You I will pray.

 3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;

         In the morning I will direct it to You,

         And I will look up.

       

 4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,

         Nor shall evil dwell with You.

 5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;

         You hate all workers of iniquity.

 6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;

         The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

       

 7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;

         In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

 8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;

         Make Your way straight before my face.

       

 9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;

         Their inward part is destruction;

         Their throat is an open tomb;

         They flatter with their tongue.

 10 Pronounce them guilty, O God!

         Let them fall by their own counsels;

         Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,

         For they have rebelled against You.

       

 11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

         Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;

         Let those also who love Your name

         Be joyful in You.

 12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;

         With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication at Temple Completion

Solomon made a speech and a prayer of dedication when the Temple was completed. The speech reminded the people above all that God in his sovereignty chose David to rule over his people and chose Jerusalem to be His city, and the place where the Temple will be build. The Temple would contain the Ark, where the covenant the LORD made with His people were put.

Solomon's prayer of dedication is one of the key prayers which call the people back to God by reminding them about their covenant promise. Like any good prayer, it starts by praising God first and how magnificent He is. Then it reminds the people about the covenant promise and that God is faithful. In this case, Solomon reminds people that we cannot actually build any house that can contain God. Yet Solomon prays to God to nevertheless hear the people when they come to the Temple to pray.

In particular Solomon lists a few punishments which may be the result of sin that the people may have done and asked God to forgive His people when they come and pray for forgiveness. Some of the wrongs include being done wrong by others, or have lost battles and wars, when there is draught, pestilence, locusts or when the foreigner comes to pray after being impressed by God.


2 Chronicles 6

 1 Then Solomon spoke:
      “The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud.

 2 I have surely built You an exalted house,
      And a place for You to dwell in forever.”

Solomon’s Speech upon Completion of the Work
 
3 Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. 4 And he said: “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, 5 ‘Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man to be a ruler over My people Israel. 6 Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ 7 Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple[a] for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 8 But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart. 9 Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’ 10 So the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke, and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised; and I have built the temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 11 And there I have put the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD which He made with the children of Israel.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
 
12 Then Solomon[b] stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands 13 (for Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and he stood on it, knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven); 14 and he said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. 15 You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. 16 Therefore, LORD God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’ 17 And now, O LORD God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David.
18 “But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple[c] which I have built! 19 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You: 20 that Your eyes may be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your name, that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. 21 And may You hear the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive.
22 “If anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 23 then hear from heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, bringing retribution on the wicked by bringing his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.

26 “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, 27 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.
28 “When there is 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 there is; 29 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple: 30 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men), 31 that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.
32 “Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for the sake of Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray in this temple; 33 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.
34 “When Your people go out to battle against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to You toward this city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, 35 then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
36 “When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to a land far or near; 37 yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness’; 38 and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been carried captive, and pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and toward the temple which I have built for Your name: 39 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You. 40 Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place.
 41 “Now therefore,
      Arise, O LORD God, to Your resting place,
      You and the ark of Your strength.
      Let Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation,
      And let Your saints rejoice in goodness.

 42 “O LORD God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed;
      Remember the mercies of Your servant David.”[d

Solomon's Prayer of Dedication of the Temple

Before the Temple was built by Solomon, God instructed them to build the Tabernacle which is a mobile tent, that housed the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark represented the presence of God and contained the stone tablets which Moses brought representing God's Covenant. After the Temple was completed, the Ark of the Covenant no longer need to be mobile and it now had a permanent place at the temple. So when the Temple was first opened, Solomon had a great ceremony with the priests to bring the Ark into the Temple in the proper way. It is interesting to note that they intended the Temple to  be where God would dwell forever, but as we know, disobedience later let to the capture of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple.

Solomon's prayer is covers important points for the people and the nation. In summary:
- Solomon describes the reason for the Temple, that it was in David's heart to build it, but God decided that his son should build it instead.
- Solomon acknowledges that God cannot be contained in any temple. He humbly suggests that the Temple is the building God is associated with, such that people can come with their prayers and supplication.
- Solomon asks God to hear the prayers and supplication of His people that they bring to the Temple. And interestingly, Solomon asks God, that after hearing the prayers, to forgive the people.
- Solomon then gives various examples of disasters that the Israelites may face out of disobedience. He begs God that when the people turn back to this temple and repent, that God should forgive them and restore them.
- Solomon also prayed to God to listen and answer the prayers of foreigners who come and pray at the temple, so that the name of God will be recognized in the whole world.
- The final point of Solomon's prayers is somewhat prophetic where he urges God that when the people were taken captives into another land because of their sin, then if they turn their hearts back to God, that God should forgive them and make their captors have compassion on them.


1 Kings 8

The Ark Brought into the Temple

 1 Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the City of David, which is Zion. 2 Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the feast in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month. 3 So all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. 4 Then they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up. 5 Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. 6 Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim. 7 For the cherubim spread their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles. 8 The poles extended so that the ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place, in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day. 9 Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
12 Then Solomon spoke:

      “The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud.
 13 I have surely built You an exalted house,
      And a place for You to dwell in forever.”

Solomon’s Speech at Completion of the Work
 


Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
 
22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; 23 and he said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. 24 You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. 25 Therefore, LORD God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk before Me as you have walked before Me.’ 26 And now I pray, O God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David my father.
27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! 28 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today: 29 that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. 30 And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
31 “When anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 32 then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.
33 “When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and when they turn back to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this temple, 34 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers.
35 “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.
37 “When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; 38 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: 39 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men), 40 that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.
41 “Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake 42 (for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, 43 hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.
44 “When Your people go out to battle against their enemy, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD toward the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, 45 then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
46 “When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to the land of the enemy, far or near; 47 yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of those who took them captive, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong, we have committed wickedness’; 48 and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and pray to You toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name: 49 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause, 50 and forgive Your people who have sinned against You, and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You; and grant them compassion before those who took them captive, that they may have compassion on them 51 (for they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out of Egypt, out of the iron furnace), 52 that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You. 53 For You separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be Your inheritance, as You spoke by Your servant Moses, when You brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.”


Solomon Blesses the Assembly
 
54 And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, that he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. 55 Then he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying: 56 “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. 57 May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, 58 that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. 59 And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, 60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. 61 Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.”


Solomon Dedicates the Temple
 
62 Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. 63 And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the LORD, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD. 64 On the same day the king consecrated the middle of the court that was in front of the house of the LORD; for there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar that was before the LORD was too small to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
65 At that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven more days—fourteen days. 66 On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the good that the LORD had done for His servant David, and for Israel His people.