Amazing Prayer

I believe in the power or prayer. Prayer doesn’t make me powerful, but I believe it admits powerlessness. I grew up learning about prayer and how powerful a tool it can be for a child of God. When my kids were small I prayed with them often. I remember one night when my daughter was really young; she prayed that it would snow during the night so that school would be cancelled. I tried to explain the weather systems to her and how it was way too warm outside to snow. She looked at me so innocent but very confident and said, “but God can change it”! I had no “comeback” whatsoever. God can do anything He pleases for sure.

I’ve heard the story of Solomon’s prayer but I saw a bit different perspective when I read this familiar story again this morning. Check this out…

6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.(2 Chronicles 1:6-7;10-12 NIV)

There was nothing “showy or self-centered” about Solomon’s prayer. I found it significant that the Lord appeared to Solomon after he had been humbly before the altar in worship and offering sacrifices. The whole sacrifice ritual is one that I’m thankful that Jesus replaced. I’ve killed animals before and that experience shook me up at times. I remember the first time I killed a deer. I shot the animal from high up in a tree stand and when I came down to go over to it, it was still alive and I had to shoot it again. I can hardly imagine offering hundreds of animals as a sacrifice for my sin. I think the Lord wanted the death of the animal to disturb the person in such a way that they would not want to continue in sin. Solomon’s encounter with God happened after he had offered a thousand burnt offerings before the Lord. I have a feeling he was humbled and awed by the Power and Presence of God.

Solomon’s prayer was unselfish.

Solomon’s prayer was profoundly simple.

Solomon’s prayer admitted his own weakness.

The Lord’s answer to Solomon’s simple prayer was anything by simple. Not only did the Lord give Solomon wisdom and knowledge, but The Lord also gave him the other blessings that he hadn’t even asked for. I believe that a humble heart before the Lord gets the Lord’s attention like nothing else. Talk is cheap – anyone can pray an eloquent prayer, but a powerful and amazing prayer starts with a humble heart.

Pressing On!

Dwayne