Anglican Devotional 21 October 2026 By The Daily Fountain of the Church Of Nigeria

TOPIC – Lord, We Need Your Presence

READ: 1 Kings 8:54-61

54 And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the Lord, he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,

56 Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

57 The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:

58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto the Lord our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:

60 That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else.

61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

THE MESSAGE:

During the dedication of the Temple, when Solomon finished praying series of prayers unto God, he stood up in front of the altar where he knelt, raised his hands towards heaven and blessed the people. In blessing the people, he did it in such a way as not to take over the functions of a Priest. His prayer was systematic. He praised the Lord who had given rest to His people, and also proclaimed the faithfulness of God.

After thanking God and acknowledging His faithfulness; he made 5 basic requests:

(a) He prayed for God’s presence (verse 57)
(b) He prayed that God would give them the desire to do His will in everything (verse 58)
(c) He prayed for the desire and ability to obey God’s decrees and commands (verse 58)
(d) He prayed for help with each day’s needs (verse 49)
(e) He prayed for the extension of God’s kingdom to the entire world.

These prayers by Solomon are applicable for today’s daily living.

In fact, the prayer is the same with the Lord’s Prayer which Jesus taught us. We need to adore and praise God in our prayer, and also ask for His constant presence with us and in our daily needs.

PRAYER: Faithful God, I need Your presence every passing hour. Please incline my heart to keep Your laws. Amen.