“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
I remember my aunt Janet bringing me to a toy store when I was young boy on my birthday. Reflecting back, it was a little awkward for me. She brought we to a very large toy store in the mall in San Antonio and told me to pick out whatever I wanted for my birthday. It took me few minutes to grasp what she said and even longer to realize what she was actually talking about. After some passive shopping on my part, I picked out a few items. She purchased them for me and we went back to my grandma’s house.
We all have these moments in our lives and it seems to hit us in an awkward place. To this day, I am usually not ok with taking because I feel as if I need to earn it or work for it. But this birthday scene from my past allows me to reflect on something I think Solomon had to go through.
In verse 5, the Lord told Solomon that he will give him whatever he wants. If you read verses 7-9 carefully you see Solomon only ask for one thing; a discerning heart to govern right from wrong. Before he asked that, he reflected upon how he got to be king and realized his abilities are not enough to govern such a great people. In response to that, Solomon asks for wisdom. The last part of verse nine Solomon declares ‘For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
It sounds like Solomon had an overwhelming wave of “holy cow I am the king and I cannot do this at all” kind of moment. It may be hard to do but instead of asking for stuff in your prayers, spend a little time reflecting on what God has blessed you with and ask for wisdom to handle the future. Solomon spent 3 verses reflecting on where God had placed him before he asked for wisdom.
If you could hear your own prayers, what would they sound like? Would they be your shopping list for God or would it be a list of thanks and a review of blessings? Mathew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Here Jesus tells us not to seek the temporary things of the world but to “first” seek Jesus.
Today, make your prayer journey an adventure striving to get to know your Heavenly Father. Just like I was uncomfortable just picking out toys for my birthday, you may also feel uncomfortable praying the Word of God. Start by personalizing God’s promises by putting your name in the subjects and reflecting upon all that God has given you. Here is an example: “Father, help me seek first your kingdom and your righteousness, and all these things will be given to me in Jesus Name, amen.” It is that simple.
Prayer: Father, our prayers can often times look like a shopping list for God, like we are ordering some things on DoorDash or HEB. Help us to learn from Solomon. Help us to first realize that you have given us everything we need and more. Help us to realize it is only by your love and intervention that we prosper. Create in us a clean heart before you Lord. One that reflects your righteousness and not our selfish ways. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
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