Solomon shows true leadership by leading in prayer before the people (v13). This is one of the main role of any leader, to be a person of prayer (1 Samuel 12 v23; Acts 6 v4). Pray for your minister, elders, organisation leaders and for parents, to be people who take a clear lead in praying both privately and publicly.

One of the great hopes that Solomon has in praying to the Lord is the steadfast love that the Lord has shown in the past to David and his people (v14). As we look to what the Lord has done in the past, it gives great encouragement to pray in faith for the future.

Solomon is staggered at the thought of the Lord, who the highest heavens cannot contain, coming to dwell on earth and in this building (v18). The result of this is great confidence and hope for God’s people as they pray towards this place (v19-21). Even a foreigner who prays towards this place (v32), or an Israelite in exile who repents (v36), will have their prayer heard.

The significance of praying towards the temple is that it was the place of god’s presence and the place of sacrifice for sin. For us in our praying today, this means praying to heaven, thinking about the God we’re praying to, and praying with faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin.