HUMILITY – a hallmark of an EFFECTIVE PRAYER!
April 9 Bible
Reading: 1 Kings Chapters 7-9
HUMILITY – a hallmark of an EFFECTIVE PRAYER
"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; and he said..." (1 Kings 8:22-23).
Solomon’s
prayer of dedication of the temple that he had built in Jerusalem is recorded
in 1 Kings 8:23-53, a long and descriptive prayer of thirty verses in which he
covered any possible future scenarios that may happen in the life of the
children of Israel. It is remarkable to note that Solomon started his prayer
(v. 22) standing up and lifting his hands to God in surrender, but he ended his
prayer kneeling down with his hands still being lifted up to God in humility. "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" (1 Kings 8:54). Sometime
during his prayer, Solomon realized the greatness of God, and his posture
changed from standing to kneeling as an act of humility and acknowledging the
awesomeness of God.
At the start
of his dedication prayer Solomon stood before the altar -- this position was in
the court of the people, on a brazen scaffold erected for the occasion (2 Chron
6:13), in front of the altar of burnt offering, and surrounded by a multitude
of people. However, during the course of prayer Solomon assumed the attitude of
a suppliant, kneeling (1 Kings 8:54; compare 2 Chron 6:24) and with uplifted
hands, he performed the solemn act of consecration. This sublime prayer referred
to the national blessing and curse contained in the Law of Moses. Solomon specified
seven cases in which the merciful
intervention of God would be required on the condition of people praying
towards that holy place. In this excellent prayer, Solomon did as we should do
in every prayer: he gave glory to God.
He recalled God's promises and praised God as he pleaded for grace and favor
from God. Under one word "forgive"
Solomon expressed all that he could ask in behalf of his people. Forgiveness of sin prepares the way to
receive goodness from God. A fuller realization of God’s greatness,
goodness and mercy drove Solomon to his knees as he spread out his hands in
prayer.
Let us
understand that humility is a hallmark
of an effective prayer. Humility is
necessary to the service of God (Micah 6:8) and is a characteristic of the saints of God (Psalms 34:2). Those who have humility are regarded by
God. "Though the Lord is on
high, yet He regards the lowly" (Psalms 138:6). "For all those things My hand has made, and all those things
exist" says the Lord. "But on this one will I look: on him who is
poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isaiah
66:2). Those who pray with humility are heard by God as His word assures us: "He does not forget the cry of the
humble" (Psalms 9:12)
Let us therefore humble before God in prayer like Solomon, and He will lift us up in due time. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:10).
