I will give what you have not asked for -- both riches and honor. 1 Kings 3:13

In one way, praying is the easiest thing in the world. We know that we have a Father in heaven who is able and willing to give us everything we need. All we have to do is ask in faith and trust. In another way, prayer is the hardest thing to do, just because we often don't know what it is we really need.

King Solomon had a dream shortly after he succeeded to the throne of his father David. God appeared to him and said, "Ask what I shall give you." Solomon remembered all the goodness God had shown to David. Many things Solomon could have asked from God. But in his heart of hearts he knew that he needed one thing above everything else, and he asked for an understanding mind to govern God's people. It was then that he received the answer in our text, that God would also give him what he had not asked: riches and honor above all other kings.

We need to think about this when we pray. Do we ask for things for ourselves, or do we ask for things which will help us serve our fellowmen better and bring them the love of God? We can be sure that when we ask for those things which will help us bring God's love to others we will also receive many gifts from God we didn't ask for.

PRAYER: Lord, teach us to pray for the things that lead to the eternal welfare of our fellow human beings; for Jesus' sake. Amen.

(Devotions from "The Abundant Life" copyright 1998, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time e-mailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Kings 21-22    Acts 14

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