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Solomon Prays at the Temple
(1 Kings 8.22-53)  12-13Earlier, Solomon had a bronze platform made that was about eight feet square and five feet high, and he put it in the center of the outer courtyard near the altar. Solomon stood on the platform facing the altar with everyone standing behind him. Then he lifted his arms toward heaven; he knelt down
14and prayed:
LORD God of Israel, no other god in heaven or on earth is like you!
You never forget the agreement you made with your people, and you are loyal to anyone who faithfully obeys your teachings.
15My father David was your servant, and today you have kept every promise you made to him.
16You promised that someone from his family would always be king of Israel, if they do their best to obey you, just as he did.
17Please keep this promise you made to your servant David.
18There's not enough room in all of heaven for you, LORD God. How could you possibly live on earth in this temple I have built?
19But I ask you to answer my prayer.
20This is the temple where you have chosen to be worshiped. Please watch over it day and night and listen when I turn toward it and pray.
21I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you, and so whenever any of us look toward this temple and pray, answer from your home in heaven and forgive our sins.
22Suppose someone accuses a person of a crime, and the accused has to stand in front of the altar in your temple and say, "I swear I am innocent!"
23Listen from heaven and decide who is right. Then punish the guilty person and let the innocent one go free.
24Suppose your people Israel sin against you, and then an enemy defeats them. If they come to this temple and beg for forgiveness,
25listen from your home in heaven. Forgive them and bring them back to the land you gave their ancestors.
26Suppose your people sin against you, and you punish them by holding back the rain. If they stop sinning and turn toward this temple to pray in your name,
27listen from your home in heaven and forgive them. The people of Israel are your servants, so teach them to live right. And send rain on the land you promised them forever.
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