Think of this for a moment: We are all foreigners in the kingdom of God. No one is native to the place where God reigns; we are all invited and, by grace, we are made citizens.
We do well to keep this in mind as we encounter every person along our way. Each of them is no more "the other" to God than we are.
This inclusive God invites you again today to stand in the Presence, to dwell in God's land.
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, "O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart...Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name —for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm — when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built."
1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43
Solomon tells us today that we should be praying, “God, hear THEIR prayers.” We should pray for those who are “foreigners”; pray for those who are outside of our church, denomination, religion, or tradition. If they should ever cry out to God, our hope and prayers should be for God to answer them. For when God answers their prayers, then they will know of God’s love and faithfulness. They will know that God cares about their lives, their needs, and their struggles.
Prayers are what bring us closer to God. Maybe you have not prayed to God in a while. Or maybe you have never prayed to God. Perhaps today is a good day to give it a try and see what happens. You might be surprised to see God’s love at work in your life. I pray that God answers your prayer.
Our prayer should be that one day there are no more foreigners before God on all the earth – only the people of God, praying and proclaiming God’s love.
Brenda Thompson
God, hear their prayers; answer according to all they call you to do, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name. Amen.
Travel through this day
Knowing there is no confining
The love of God,
And no borders to cross
Between you and God's presence.
Pray that your life might also be
So open
That God's love in you knows
No barriers,
Providing free passage for others.