I Kings 8:27-30, 38-39
What did you learn from
marking the references to Solomon?
He knows
who he is: a servant.
What did you learn from
marking the references to prayer in this passage?
Even
though God is not able to be contained, He still regards the prayers of His
people.
How did Solomon characterize
God's relationship with His people?
What was he asking of God?
Favor,
mercy.
Discuss the synonyms for
prayer that you marked in this passage. What do they reveal about
the nature of prayer?
Supplication. The Hebrew word
is tĕchinnah (8467) to seek
favor
- This word comes from the Hebrew word hanan (2603) which means to pardon or to show mercy and often implies the extending of favor when it is neither expected nor deserved.
- Hanan may express generosity, a gift from the heart (Ps 37:21).
- God is especially the source of undeserved favor (Gen 33:11), and He is asked repeatedly for such gracious acts as only He can do.
Pray. The Hebrew word is palal (6419) to pray, to intervene,
mediate, judge. This word has two forms:
- Form 1, intensive: to mediate, to come between two parties, always between human beings. Requires making a judgment
- Form 2, reflexive (actions points back to subject). Intercede. Just why this verb form is used to express the act of praying is not completely clear. Since this verb form points back to the subject...perhaps it emphasizes the part which the person praying has in his prayers…it may emphasize the fact that prayer is basically communication which always has to be two-way in order to be real. Note: This verb is also used when people pray to idols (Is 44:17).
After studying the above passage
of Scripture inductively, I found this application which I hope strengthens my
prayer life:
Application: How do I
know I am praying in the will of God?
First, I
must recognize Who God is (v. 27) When I do,
- I will address the right Person when I pray.
Greek word Proseuchomai (4336) is used of prayer in general, is always used of prayer to God.
Hebrew word Tĕphillah (8605) means the same as the Greek word above.
- I will proclaim Him as such through my cries. My study of this word cry gave me new revelation:
Cry (7440) (rinnah) from 7442
ringing cry
- of entreaty, supplication
- in proclamation, joy, praise
Ranan (7442) means to sing, shout, cry out, to chant. Singing and shouting praises to God is found in Lev 9:24
Personal note: Crying before the Lord doesn't only mean shedding tears or pouring out my grieving heart, but it also means I will sing His praises because He is revealing more of Himself to me.
- I will recognize
- He is merciful (v 27) and forgiving (v. 30)
- He knows my heart (v 39)
Secondly,
I must know who I am.
- I am His redeemed and holy (from our last study) servant/ebed.
Ebed (5650) servant.
- The lowest of slaves.
- Ebed was used as a mark of humility and courtesy, the mark of those called by God.
- The servant was not a free man. He was subject to the will and command of his master.
- But one might willingly and lovingly submit to his master remaining in his service when he was not obliged to do so. Hence it is a very fitting description of the relationship of man to God: bond servant.
- Personal note: Thank You, Lord, that during our last study, my heart leaped when I read Wendy's use of the term bondservant. Now I see why. You had something to teach me about my future growth from believer to disciple to bondservant. Continue to teach me, Lord.
- I am waiting for His response with humility so I can act in His will.
- I recognize I need of mercy (not getting what I do deserve) and favor.
What do these synonyms for
prayer reveal about the nature of prayer?
The nature
of prayer reflects a servant seeking favor from her Master because she knows
who she is and is continuing to grow in the knowledge of Who He is. I
will not pray flippantly but purposefully to the God of my salvation Who I
believe will hear me because He says He will. Thank You, Lord!
Linda
Moderator
Note:
I used Vine's Expository Dictionary to find these definitions.
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