Eavesdropping on a Prayer
I. A PRAYER at the CENTRE of it all. (I Kings 8)
A. The GATHERING and the DISMISSAL (v.1-2; v.65-66)
B. The OFFERING of SACRIFICES. (v.3-13; v.62-64)
C. Solomon SPEAKS to the PEOPLE. (v.14-21; v.54-61)
D. A PRAYER of deep and profound INSIGHT. (v.22-53)
Last week we saw a very human Solomon, desiring to good, yet flawed in many ways as we are. Today we are coming to a text several years later to the dedication of the completed temple. This has been a tremendous project, and we can see from his prayer that Solomon speaks honestly about what He is learning through it.
1. Kid’s Question: What do you like about prayer? What do you find difficult?
2. How does what we talked about last week in regards to Solomon shape the way you watchhim as he prays?
II. Two important GIFTS from this PRAYER. (v.22-53)
A. DEEPENING our COMPREHENSION of God. (v.23-30)
B. An HONEST understanding of OURSELVES. (v.31-53)
Solomon speaks to the people…and then he turns to the altar and speaks to God. Often in prayer who we are becomes exposed, and Solomon speaks down two main trails that give great insight to us today. His prayer gives us some gifts to direct not only our prayers, but also our lives.
3. How would you describe your “comprehension” of God? Is He big enough? Powerful enough? Do the actions of your life and the things you think about reflect this truth?
4. How comfortable are you be honest about your own weakness and failures with God? With others? Is this something God might be calling you to change in your own life? If so…how?
III. From EAVESDROPPING to ENGAGING this prayer. (Is. 29:13)
A. POSITIONING enables better PETITIONING. (Mt. 6:9-13; v.23-30)
1. The TRANSCENDENT God, PRESENT with us. (v.27-28; Mt. 28:20b)
2. AUTHENTIC admission of our NEED. (v.46; Ps. 51:3-4)
B. Viewing DIFFICULTY as an INVITATION. (v. 31-50; 2Cor. 12:8-9)
C. A CALL to continual REPENTANCE. (v. 38-40; Mark 1:14-15)
D. All ROOTED in our core IDENTITY. (v. 52-53; Col. 3:12-14)
A life of faith is just that…a life. We need to make sure we aren’t just storing up theological ideas in our mind, but that we are putting flesh on them and living them out. It’s great to eavesdrop on a prayer, but we can’t stop there…we need to engage this truth in our own prayers.
5. On a scale of 1-10 how often do you sense the presence of God during the course of a day? How does that impact you (or not impact you)? How can you grow in this area?
6. What are some things that keep us from an “authentic admission of our need” to God? To close friends? What happens as we continue to hide our true need under the surface?
7. When has a difficult time been something God has used in your life? How do you react tothe challenge to “View difficulty as an invitation”?
8. How does a deepening sense of our core identity help us to live life in a more repentant andhonest way? How can you better embrace the truth of who God says you are?