1 Kings 3-6
An Unselfish Prayer

We've all seen in movies the scenario where someone finds a genie and is given the opportunity to make three wishes for anything they desire (they always ask for more wishes!). It makes you wonder: what would you ask for? Money? Power? Fame? Pleasure? World peace? Those answers reveal much about our hearts.

In 1 Kings 3, the young King Solomon seemed overwhelmed by the thought of leading Yahweh's people and the responsibilities involved therein. The opportunity of a lifetime was given him after offering sacrifices to the LORD. 1 Kings 3:5-9 reads, "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, 'Ask what I shall give you.' And Solomon said, 'You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?'"

God gave Solomon a blank check, and Solomon wrote it for good and not evil. It is not unusual for young men, full of strength and with their whole lives before them, to think about all the things they long to accomplish and what would be needed to do such things. But, David's son prayed for others and their well being when he prayed for wisdom.

"It pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, 'Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days" (v. 10-13).

Such unselfish behavior "pleased the LORD." Prayer is a time when we can come before the most powerful being in the universe and express our hearts desires. While the LORD longs to bless us, He is pleased—and fulfills our request—when we put the needs of others before our own. Great prayers of the Bible were always prayers for others. Moses & Daniel prayed for Israel; Jesus for His disciples and us; Paul for others. What of your prayers? Do they center on yourself, or do you beg God's blessings so you can in turn be a blessing to others.