Sign up for our free newsletter:

While prayer for our nation is not high on most prayer lists, maybe it should be. When King Solomon dedicated the temple, he offered one of the most lofty prayers in Scripture. First, Solomon assembled the people as if the dedication were a grand affair of State—which it was. He stood in front of them and lifted his arms toward heaven. Then he knelt down.

Solomon prayed for his people, not just those present on that day, but for those who would worship in that temple for the nearly four hundred years it would stand. His prayer was full of praise: "There is no God in heaven or earth like you" (6:14). But Solomon also had a realistic view of his people. Over and over he said, "If anyone sins" (6:22). Suppose someone committed a crime, suppose they sinned and the Lord brought sickness, suppose he became angry enough to let enemies drag them away. In the event of each offense, Solomon begged that if his people repented, that the Lord would hear their prayers and forgive.

Solomon's prayer provides a model for your own praying. You can kneel, as he did, and follow his prayer paragraph by paragraph. At each point you can insert descriptions, needs, and temptations of your own particular nation. God answered Solomon's prayer with a beautiful promise. Perhaps he will do the same for you. (See also 2 Samuel 7:19-29; 2 Kings 19:14-19; Nehemiah 1; Psalm 85; Lamentations 5; Matthew 6:5-15; Acts 4:23-31.)

Good Words to Remember:
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Today's Challenge:
Pray specifically for the events going on in your nation today.

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

Bible Studies to Help You Go Deeper