II Chron. 7:1- Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.
When Solomon and Israel had come to the end of building the temple, “The House of the Lord,” Solomon began to pray. Up until this point, Israel would set up a tent, or tabernacle as it was also called, to do their services unto God. But the erection of a permanent building would mark an end to the era of temporary worship centers. The temple of Jerusalem represented God presence permanently residing with Israel. Israelites from the north and south would travel “up to” Jerusalem to present themselves before God. The gathering showed God’s people as one nation truly under God. It was a day of celebration! Solomon, being a type of Christ, set his heart to give God thanks publicly. Nothing pleases God more than His child praying after leading a life of worship in his/her temple.
One of the greatest hindrances to prayer is attempting to do so over sins we have not asked forgiveness for, and therefore have not repented. To know that I have committed deeds unpleasing to God and have not asked for his forgiveness, but continue on as though “all is well,” I am deceiving myself! But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8). In the verse above, Solomon received a response from God that was indicative of a life of worship. This life of sincerely serving God set the atmosphere for the miraculous. You don not need a prayer cloth, water from Jerusalem, a prayer shawl, or any other concocted gimmick of man to experience a move of God. Set the atmosphere by worshipping Him with all your heart, soul, and mind.