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1 Kings 8:22-53 – Praying through the Bible #109 – A Prayer of God’s Otherness
No single verse contains all of God. No single scripture contains all of God’s theology. If this is true, then even “God is love” (1 John 4:8) is not all inclusive of all God is. God is not only love. God is righteous too, which can conflict with His desire that all men be saved (1 Tim.2:3-4). Therefore when we isolate one characteristic of God, or one doctrine, we are too narrow in our own minds and in our theology. How God’s love and righteousness co-exists is beyond us. Sometimes we need to throw up our hands, not out of despair, but out of praise of God’s transcendent immanence or if you prefer, God’s immanent transcendence. God does not always fit into our box, or into our linear thinking. God does not contradict, but God is a paradox. But even that one thought, God is a paradox, does not contain all of God’s theology. No single verse contains all of God.
No single prayer contains all of God either, but one comes closer than most – Solomon’s dedication prayer (1 Kings 8:22-53). Such a prayer comes only from having a deep appreciation of God’s “Otherness.” God is “other” than us, and so different. After reading this brief overview, take the time to read and digest the entire prayer.
- Yahweh is Unique – “There is no God like You” (8.23)
- Yahweh is Relational – “Keeping the gracious covenant with Your servants who walk before You” (8.23)
- Yahweh is Faithful – “You have kept what You promised” (8.24)
- Yahweh is Transcendent – “Even heaven, the highest heaven cannot contain You” (8.27)
- Yahweh is Immanent – “Hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant prays before You today” (8.28)
- Yahweh is Protective – “So that Your eyes may watch over this temple night and day” (8.29)
- Yahweh is Forgiving – “May You hear and forgive” (8.30)
- Yahweh is Pure – “May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man” (8.32)
- Yahweh is Righteous – “Providing justice for the righteous” (8.32)
- Yahweh is Nature’s God – “May you send rain on Your land” (8.36)
- Yahweh is a Giver – “You gave Your people for an inheritance” (8.36)
- Yahweh is Omniscient – “You alone know every human heart” (8:39)
- Yahweh is Reverent – “So that they may fear You” (8.40)
- Yahweh is Universal – “Even for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel” (8.41)
Prayer Challenge: There’s more to Solomon’s prayer than space allows, so study it with the goal of studying God. Then allow God’s “Otherness” to fill your prayer with praise.
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