Today’s Reading, 2 Chronicles 6-7 & Psalms 137
Focal Scripture: 2 Chronicles 6:32-33 “Even for the foreigner who is not of your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name and your strong hand and outstretched arm: when he comes and prays toward this temple, may you hear in heaven in your dwelling place, and do all the foreigner asks you. Then all the peoples of the earth will know your name, to fear you as your people Israel do and know that this temple I have built bears your name.”
Have you ever had prayers that you wondered if the Lord was listening to when you spoke them out loud? I know I have and I am going through a season right now where it seems every prayer I offer to the Lord is distant and he doesn’t want to respond to my petitions, requests, or concerns. I have had seasons like this in the past but not to this level in my spiritual walk. It can be overwhelming and it is definitely frustrating.
In today’s reading Solomon is offering up his prayer during the dedication of the temple. As he prays he makes a very big statement about foreigners and the Lords response to their prayers. He said that when the foreigner comes that God would answer the request and do all that was asked. Why? So all of the world would know Gods name, Israel would be feared, and the temple built has Gods name written all over it, so the people could see the Lords glory. The point of this statement is to show that even the foreigner knows where to come in times of need.
So what about you? Do you believe there God will hear and answer your prayers? It is easy to say yes but it is difficult to put it into practice. I know when the Lord is silent, I get very frustrated. I know when I need answers and help, I become very impatient when the Lord delays in his response.
The challenge that both you and I have in this situation is to trust the Lord with our whole hearts. The other truth we have to rely on is that the Lord hears prayers and always gives an answer. It might not be in our timing or the way we prefer but he always comes through. Today’s reading shows that the Lord hears and prayer has to be a passion not an act.
The challenge I took away from today’s reading is to make sure that when I pray I never give up no matter how frustrated I get or how silent the Lord is in my life. If he will listen to the foreigner and display his greatness in that way, how much more will he do for a child of his own.
Pray with passion and without ceasing. Prayer with purpose and purpose other knowledge there the Lord will always respond. We need prayers that move mountains not prayers that stop at speed bumps.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Psalms 134 & Psalms 146-150
