Often, when I read the Scriptures, especially the prayers that are recorded for us, I am challenged about my own prayer life. I think about the things I pray for, and certainly we are told to bring all our prayers and petitions to God, which I do regularly. What challenges me are the kinds of prayers that men and women of God have prayed that rise above the everyday things I often bring to God. 

I love, for instance, the prayer of Solomon when he became king. God appeared to him during the night in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 1 Kings 3. Can you imagine God asking you that question? I can think of all kinds of possible answers, but Solomon doesn’t give any of those answers. Here is how he answered:

“Solomon answered, ‘You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on the throne this very day.” Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern you and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” - 1 Kings 3:6-9

Now if God asked me the same question, I hope that I might answer like Solomon, but the truth is that so many of my prayers are about me. Solomon’s prayer, however, was about what he needed to serve God - wisdom or a discerning heart. This pleased God, because it was not a selfish prayer but a God centered prayer. God promised him that because he had asked for discernment and wisdom, it would be his, along with great riches that he had not asked for.

This is a reminder to me that our prayer lives need to revolve not simply around my needs but also those things that are dear to His heart. He loves to meet our needs, but He is pleased when we pray for the advancement of His kingdom. This is why we ought to be praying for the lost to come to Christ, that the church can have a deep Gospel impact in the community and the world, that justice would be the norm in our society and that racial reconciliation would take place around the world. 

Here is our challenge: As we bring our own needs before God, let’s pray for those things that He also values. Solomon gave us an example. Lets do likewise.

Father, would You teach me to pray as the great figures in the bible prayed? Today I ask You specifically to give to me what I need to make a difference for You in the places I go and the people I meet. I thank You in advance. Amen.