(POTB) Solomon's Wise Prayer

Introduction -

We have moved in our prayer journey into the Kings. Prayer in these two books and period of history is an impressive display of the art of prayer and the dynamic power it wields.

Some of the prayers used in these two books are later recorded by New Testament writers to urge the saints to “pray without ceasing.” The mighty, daring, prevailing prayers of Elijah which we will study at a later time - remind us once again, as we have seen over and over in this study that there is “Power Through Prayer,” as E.M. Bounds put it.

E.M. Bound put i

Another author wrote about “Prayer setting in motion the whole power of God.”

A One Request Prayer -

While many prayers in the Bible only cover one paticular need or issue - this one struck me as extremely interesting. Here is the king of Israel. The son of David. He could have asked for wealth beyond imagination. He could have asked for long life or a lengthy rule. He could have prayed for a huge kingdom or to rule the world. He could have asked for any variation or combination of those prayers.

But no! Solomon asks for only one thing. He only requests for Wisdom from God.

A prayer for wisdom speaks of Solomon’s humility - he was expressing verbally (although in a dream) his lack of wisdom.

This is seen especially in where Solomon prays that he is but a little child. He is not talking about age - as he would have been at least twenty years old and probably fathered Rehoboam his eldest son already.

He is expressing his immaturity, his lack of wisdom and inexperience in matters of government.

This also expresses his recognition of the source of true wisdom.

His prayer for wisdom was a deliberate rejection of riches, honor, health, destruction of all his enemies.

His prayer for wisdom was a sign of Solomon’s servant leadership -

No one can call Solomon a push over, but he was in a position of leading, and judging the people - it was by this wisdom given from God because of prayer - that Solomon was able to be extremely effective at his job.

I love how he prays in for an “understanding heart” this means more than just a understanding, or compassion - but it refers to a “hearing heart” or a “listening heart.”

I have challenged us as a church to try to make at least 20 touches a week - to reach out to someone - a neighbor, a cashier, a coworker, a stranger someone -

the touch isn’t necessarily sitting down and giving them the whole gospel message - but its a time where you exhibit Jesus to them in some way.

Let’s take this prayer of Solomon and pray this over each one of our church - that God would endow us with wisdom to be soul winners.