Be Faithful By Being Prayerful

Be Faithful By Being Prayerful

Introduction: After the Ark of the Covenant is transferred to the Temple, Solomon blesses the people and dedicates the Temple. He also turns to God in prayer for the provision and protection from any calamity that may come.

I. The Prayer Of REPENTANCE

1. The FAMINE

*verse 35a, (as PUNISHMENT to the PEOPLE)

“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you."

2. The FORGIVENESS

*verses 35b-36a, (because of their CONTRITION and CONFESSION)

"And when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel."

II. The Prayer Of RELIANCE

1. The TEACHING of God

*verse 36b, (to GUIDE them in GODLY ways)

"Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance."

2. The TRUSTING to God

*verses 37-38, (even if the PLAGUE will PERSIST)

“When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple."

3. The THOUGHTFULNESS of God

*verses 39-40, (to REPAY their RENDERED services)

"Then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers."

4. The TESTIMONY of God

*verses 41-43, (to ACKNOWLEDGE even the prayer of the ALIENS)

“As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name— for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,"

5. The TRIUMPH from God

*verses 44-45, (hear their prayers to WIN in WAR)

“When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to the Lord toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause."

Conclusion: To pray is the best thing to do in times of need. Not only in times of need, but to prevent also the coming of calamities in life. And if they still happened despite praying, the negative effect will be reduced and assured victory over them. Be faithful to God by being prayerful.