Solomon was the wisest of kings. After he put the finishing touches on the temple he built for God, he prayed this prayer of blessing, an exquisite final “finishing touch.” This is one we can pray over ourselves, our families, and our churches. We invite you to join in….

Solomon beings his prayer with praise. Always a good beginning…

“Blessed be God, who has given peace to his people Israel just as he said he’d do.
Not one of all those good and wonderful words that he spoke through Moses has misfired.

He then asks for specific direction…

May God, our very own God, continue to be with us just as he was with our ancestors—
may he never give up and walk out on us.
May he keep us centered and devoted to him,
following the life path he has cleared,
watching the signposts,
walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors.

And la crème – Asking that this prayer continually resonate before the throne of God, like a never-ending echo in Heaven…

And let these words that I’ve prayed in the presence of God be always right there before him,
day and night,
so that he’ll do what is right for me,
to guarantee justice for his people Israel day after day after day.

At the end of the day – the purpose of all these requests….

Then all the people on earth will know God is the true God;
there is no other God.

A final word to the wise from the wiser…

And you, your lives must be totally obedient to God, our personal God,
following the life path he has cleared,
alert and attentive to everything he has made plain this day.”
1 Kings 8:56-61 The Message

Amen.