Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Kings 8:48-49 (New Living Translation)

⁴⁸ If they turn to you with their whole heart and soul in the land of their enemies and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors—toward this city you have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor your name— ⁴⁹ then hear their prayers and their petition from heaven where you live, and uphold their cause.

This is one of the few occasions when the act of praying towards the Temple of Jerusalem is mentioned. The prophet Daniel often prayed towards Jerusalem.

Was there anything more spiritual or powerful about praying towards the Temple or praying in another direction?

I think not. I think the physical act of praying towards the Temple emphasized what was mentioned in verse 48, turning the whole heart and soul to the LORD. Make that plain to everyone by turning your body towards the LORD’s Temple.

Is there an equivalent today? I think so. Bowing, falling to my knees, closing my eyes – these are physical acts that are not necessary to pray, but these physical acts emphasize and show the act of submission in prayer. They are all submissive positions and acts.