If you wanna a good pattern to follow when approaching the Lord in prayer, we need look no further than Solomon’s response to Yehovah when He appeared to him in a dream.
Let’s break down and analyze Solomon’s response.
FIRST, he expressed gratitude:
“You showed your servant David, my father, much grace, as he lived before you honestly and righteously, having an upright heart with you. You preserved this great grace for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as is the case today.
SECOND, he confessed his weaknesses:
“So now, Adonai my God, you have made your servant king in the place of David my father; but I am a mere child — I don’t know how to lead! Moreover, your servant is among your people, whom you chose, a great people so numerous that they cannot be counted.”
THIRD, Solomon humbly asked for help:
“Therefore, give your servant an understanding heart able to administer justice to your people, so that I can discern between good and bad — for who is equal to judging this great people of yours?”
What was the result of Solomon’s response?
The Lord was so pleased that He told Solomon:
“Because you have made this request instead of asking long life or riches for yourself, or your enemies’ death, but rather asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, I am doing what you requested. I am giving you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you, nor will there ever again be anyone like you. I am also giving you what you didn’t ask for, riches and honor greater than that of any other king throughout your life. More than that, if you will live according to my ways, obeying my laws and mitzvot like your father David, I will give you a long life.”
The takeaway here is that Solomon’s response is totally different from that of your typical and egotistical human king.
Solomon is expressing a true shepherd’s heart in his answer.
This was the kind of answer you would expect from a man who sincerely worshipped the God of Israel and understood his place before Him.
As we can see, Adonai loved that attitude.
What I also love is that Messiah Yeshua referred to this same prayer pattern in his Sermon on the Mount when he said:
“Seek ye first the Kingdom, and all your needs will be added unto you.”
See the New Testament reference below to see what I mean.
Alright homies, that does it for today.
See ya all next time.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Do not worry about your life.
What you will eat or drink.
Or about clothes for your body.
Isn’t life more than food?
And the body more than clothes?
Look at the birds flying above.
They neither sow nor gather crops.
Yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth far more?
Can worry add one hour?
Why worry about your clothing?
Look at the flowers growing freely.
They do not work or spin.
Yet even Solomon in all glory
Was not dressed like these flowers.
If God clothes grass so beautifully,
Grass alive today, burned tomorrow,
Will He not clothe you also?
You who have such little faith.
So do not keep worrying:
“What shall we eat or drink?”
“What clothes shall we wear tomorrow?”
The Gentiles chase after these things.
Your heavenly Father knows your needs.
Seek first God’s Kingdom and righteousness.
Then these things will be added.
So do not fear tomorrow.
Tomorrow will handle its own worries.
Each day has enough trouble already.”
-Matthew 6:25-34
Another great template for prayer is what has been called “The Lord’s Prayer”, the one Yeshua taught us in Matthew 6:9-13.
1. We start by recognizing who and what God is;
2. We then ask only for what we need today (demonstrating trust that God will always be there for us);
3. We ask for forgiveness of our sins (today we do so by means of the blood Yeshua shed for us). This one has a caveat- we also ask that God forgive us as we forgive others, which means if we are unforgiving we can expect God to not forgive us, either (this is confirmed by Yeshua in Matthew 6:14-15);
4. We ask God to lead us into righteous living, and believers can receive that guidance through an indwelling of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit);
5. We also ask that God protect us from evil and the workings of the Enemy; and
6. We end as we began, recognizing God’s authority and glorifying him as he deserves.
The words can change for each individual, as we should always pray from our heart and not just automatically read what someone else wrote.
What Yeshua gave us was not just a prayer, but a template for how all prayers should be made.
Love step 2 because I discern this is an area where I really need to grow spiritually.
I waste too much time crying over the spilt milk of yesterday and fretting over the not-yet-arrived tomorrows of the future.
Hey, this could be another great book idea for you! Create a book containing a template of prayers to meet any need or challenge that may arise in one’s life.
Shalom and blessings.