Intercession and Dedication. 1st Kings 8:54-66 Prayers of intercession are made when we understand, at least to a degree, that some problems and issues arise in the lives of God's people and even nations that are greater than can be solved by men and women alone. People need God, and some don't even know it. We are told to "pray for kings and those in authority" who have the power to influence the course of a nation for good or bad. So, in Solomon's prayer for the nation, he prayed for several important things that would adversely affect the people without divine intervention. This provides a certain pattern for prayers of intercession that can help us to be consistent with praying in the will of God.
The first request was for the Lord's presence to be with His people, and in that request, it is implied that the people would be conscious of the presence of the Lord with them [v.57]. There is a purifying effect when we realize that we are not alone and can have confidence in the outcome of things when we know God is with us. The second request was that the people of the Lord would have the desire to do God's will in everything they would do. Obedience to God and assurance that what He wants from us is our genuine desire goes beyond mere acquiescence to hearty willingness. There is also a request for the honest desire and ability to do what God wants and act on His decrees [v.58]. A request for help in daily living [v.59] is a fundamental need in the lives of the Lord's people. Every day we live brings new needs and opportunities that are unique to that place and time. The awareness of God in the situation giving needed guidance places us in the best possible position and condition for success.
Then, there was a final request for the message of the Lord our God, the Savior of the world, to be declared to the ends of the earth [v.60]. In our day, we pray that the preaching of the Gospel message will be successful and prosper wherever it is being proclaimed. That prayer is similar to the fundamental message of "Peace" being told to "all men everywhere" to "repent and believe the Gospel."
Solomon knew that day was a historic day in the nation's life, and what he said and prayed would affirm the covenants the Lord had made before to Moses, the nation of Israel, and David. Even after there was rest in the land of promise, there was land to be possessed, which didn't happen until the reign of David. At that time, the promises of the covenant were fulfilled because the terms of the covenant were finally met on Israel's part.
Behind the motivation to be faithful and obedient to the Lord is heartfelt interest from those who desire to serve Him. What our forebearers experienced and did for the Lord is not what we need. The terms of "covenant living" must be made and acted upon by ourselves. The people of the world are affected by the faithfulness and testimony of those who truly follow the Lord. Counterfeit Christianity is rejected as relevant or essential by those who expect Christians to show evidence of Christ's teaching and life to be able to be seen in them.
Commitment to the Lord will fill the hearts and minds of His people with a desire to do His will and obey His word. When that is a fact of life for us, it has a far-reaching effect that is far more significant than we can imagine. It is not possible to over-emphasize the impact true Christianity, lived out day by day in a consistent way, has on those who are still in spiritual darkness. That visible evidence makes people sit up and take notice of the reality of our risen Lord. When we reflect on Him in everyday life, people can identify with Him and hopefully will desire to come to know Him.
The temple's dedication was a national event that affected the whole nation. Significant numbers of people came from all parts of the kingdom for the week-long dedication of the temple, followed by the week-long Feast of Tabernacles. Chronicles adds that heavenly fire consumed the sacrifice on the altar which would have made the people realize they were dealing with the Almighty God. A great number of animals were sacrificed so the whole nation could eat a shared meal at once. Millions of people, eating their portion of the sacrifices, were united in their awareness of the Lord God of Israel dwelling among His people in the new temple.
Evidence of His presence was seen by the cloud, and there would have been reverential respect and joy at the assurance that God was with them. On the final day, the people blessed Solomon and went home with joy and gladness for all the Lord had done for them. On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, "the great day of the feast," the Lord Jesus Christ stood and cried, "If any man thirsts, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." We need to be aware that we can get used to essential things if we forget the One who is important.
It seems much easier to believe when we have been faithful in our commitments to the Lord when we are assured that we are acting in His will, when hearts and heads are bowed, and when we are thankful that we know God in heaven hears us and will answer our petitions. But when there is a problem, and we have sinned, we often need to be again reassured that after true confession and the trespass is mended, when we pray, we are heard. When discouragement, defeat, or despair have taken us prisoner, this is still true. If we stop what we are doing and, in heartfelt prayer, turn to our Father in heaven, He will answer that prayer.
There are times when it seems like the blessings of life have stopped, and we wonder what we can do next. We have to stop to consider that God knows even our thoughts. I am the one who has vexed God’s mercy and brought things to a halt. Wrong living brings want, wickedness, and grief. We have often gone our own way and done our own thing. To forsake sin is right, and when with sincere repentance we seek the face of God, He will hear what we say and know what we mean, and at the throne of God in heaven hears us and responds in His righteous way. When someone I meet does not know God, I can intercede for that person and pray that, in some way, I can speak of the Lord so he will become aware of his need.
There are battles yet to be fought in this life, but alone we’d fall. If the cause is righteous, God is there to hear when I call on Him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for that person. When, with urgency or maybe in desperation, I speak clearly of the need, I will find He is there to bear my burden. I believe God hears when we pray, whether alone or in a large company. It is a fact to remember that He hears all we say, hears our supplications, sees the need, and answers according to His divine will. He hears every word and knows every unexpressed need. I know I don’t express myself a lot, but I am thankful for the assurance of God’s omniscient wisdom; not only what I speak but also unspoken requests are known by Him.