Solomon Prays For Those in Foreign Missions
July 1, 2021
Commentary
Today we see the closing remarks of Solomon’s prayerwith his people to God. His prayers and concern reach out to those beyond his own surroundings to foreign missions. He looked around as he called on God to hear the prayer of believing foreigners (vv. 32-35). By hearing them, God’s fame would spread world-wide. He asked God to give his people victory in battle. He says, “Answer their prayers from heaven and give them victory.”
The King seemed to have insight into the fate of God’s people. They would soon go into captivity because of their sins against God; they called on Him for forgiveness, and they experienced restoration to their land. Sin always leads to captivity while repentance leads to restoration. Most are sorry they got caught but very few are willing to really repent.
Solomon looked within (vv. 36-42) as he pleads with God for forgiveness and to bless all present. God has chosen to respond to His children who pray within His conditions. He changes people and sometimes changes things. He closes his prayer by asking God to always remember the love He had for his servant David and not reject His chosen Kings (v. 42).
Application
Solomon demonstrated by his public prayer how important this is in the life of any Christian. I need to be more conscious and demonstrate in my life how important prayer is if I expect to receive God’s blessing on my life.
2 Chronicles 6:32– 42 (NET)
32 “Foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will come from a distant land because of your great reputation and your ability to accomplish mighty deeds; they will come and direct their prayers toward this temple. 33 Then listen from your heavenly dwelling place and answer all the prayers of the foreigners. Then all the nations of the earth will acknowledge your reputation, obey you as your people Israel do, and recognize that this temple I built belongs to you.
34 “When you direct your people to march out and fight their enemies, and they direct their prayers to you toward this chosen city and this temple I built for your honor, 35 then listen from heaven to their prayers for help and vindicate them.
36 “The time will come when your people will sin against you (for there is no one who is sinless!) and you will be angry at them and deliver them over to their enemies, who will take them as prisoners to their land, whether far away or close by. 37 When your people come to their senses in the land where they are held prisoner, they will repent and beg for your mercy in the land of their imprisonment, admitting, ‘We have sinned and gone astray, we have done evil!’ 38 When they return to you with all their heart and being in the land where they are held prisoner and direct their prayers toward the land you gave to their ancestors, your chosen city, and the temple I built for your honor, 39 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place to their prayers for help, vindicate them, and forgive your sinful people.
40 “Now, my God, may you be attentive and responsive to the prayers offered in this place. 41 Now ascend, O Lord God, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength! May your priests, O Lord God, experience your deliverance. May your loyal followers rejoice in the prosperity you give. 42 O Lord God, do not reject your chosen ones! Remember the faithful promises you made to your servant David!”