Brief Summary
Myron Golden discusses how to pray when feeling lost or overwhelmed in new situations, drawing from the story of King Solomon in 1 Kings 3. He emphasizes that the purpose of prayer is to align oneself with God's will, not to get God to fulfill personal desires. The key is to seek God's kingdom first, which means yielding to God as the sovereign King of one's life and using one's purpose to serve others.
- The true purpose of life is to please God and serve people.
- Seeking God's kingdom involves yielding to God's will and using one's assignment to serve others.
- Praying for wisdom to fulfill one's purpose in a way that pleases God and serves people leads to unexpected blessings and fulfillment.
Introduction: Feeling Overwhelmed in New Situations
The author introduces the feeling of being overwhelmed in new life stages such as starting a new job, becoming an entrepreneur, getting married, or having a child. He sets the stage for a discussion on how to navigate these moments by turning to prayer for guidance.
The Prayer of Solomon: 1 Kings 3
The author references 1 Kings 3, highlighting Solomon's story as a powerful example of effective prayer. He believes this prayer has significantly impacted his life, offering insight into understanding how life works. He begins reading from verse one, setting the context for Solomon's encounter with God.
The Purpose of Prayer: Aligning with God's Will
The author clarifies that the true purpose of prayer is not to get God to do one's will, but to align oneself with God's will. He uses the "Lord's Prayer" (actually the model prayer) as an example, noting that it begins with reverence for God and a desire for His kingdom to come, rather than personal requests. He emphasizes that everything was created to please God.
Understanding God's Kingdom
The author explains that praying for God's kingdom to come means asking God to be the sovereign King of one's life, influencing thoughts, actions, and decisions. He shares an anecdote about Bishop Wayne Malcolm in London to illustrate the concept of living under a king's authority, where everything belongs to the Royal Family. Yielding to God means recognizing that everything is already His, and striving not to withhold it from Him.
Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom
The author discusses Solomon's prayer, where God offers him anything he desires. Instead of asking for personal gain, Solomon acknowledges God's mercy towards his father David and asks for an understanding heart to judge God's people and discern between good and bad. The author emphasizes that Solomon's focus was on serving God and His people, not on personal desires.
David's Imperfections and Solomon's Honor
The author addresses David's sins, including his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. Despite these flaws, Solomon honored his father, recognizing both his good and bad deeds. The author highlights that Solomon's focus was not on dwelling on his parents' mistakes but on honoring them as the scripture commands.
The Essence of Solomon's Prayer in Modern Terms
The author interprets Solomon's prayer in modern terms, summarizing it as asking God for the wisdom to fulfill one's purpose in a way that pleases Him and serves the people He has placed one on Earth to serve. He emphasizes that this prayer reveals two key purposes in life: to please God and to serve people.
Pleasing God and Serving People: The True Purpose of Life
The author stresses that the primary purpose of life is to please God and then serve people, correcting the common misconception that it's the other way around. He explains that God created everything for His pleasure, and even those who dislike God are still fulfilling His purpose. He encourages yielding to this purpose rather than resisting it.
Applying the Prayer to Different Roles
The author provides examples of how to apply Solomon's prayer to various roles such as a father, mother, teacher, entrepreneur, husband, or wife. In each case, the prayer involves asking God for the wisdom to fulfill the role in a way that pleases Him and serves the people involved.
The Problem with Modern Churchianity
The author critiques modern churchianity, stating that many Christians mistakenly believe their purpose is to please people and serve God. He argues that the correct order is to please God first and then serve people. He emphasizes that God brings people into one's life to be served in some capacity.
Serving Consciously vs. Self-Consciously
The author contrasts serving consciously with being self-conscious, stating that self-consciousness hinders one's ability to serve others. He asserts that individuals are not here for themselves but for each other, and encourages yielding to God to please Him and serve others.
The Benefits of Serving Others
The author explains that yielding to God and serving others leads to a better life, with God revealing higher and higher levels of service. He shares his personal journey from selling insurance and health supplements to teaching sales, emphasizing that these experiences were preparing him to serve others better.
Selling as a Godly Act
The author defends selling as a moral obligation, referencing Proverbs 11:26, which states that withholding good is a curse, while selling it brings blessings. He uses the example of Joseph in the Bible, who sold food to the people of Egypt during a famine, as an example of how selling can be a means of serving and preserving others.
Joseph's Shrewd Business Practices
The author details Joseph's business acumen, explaining how he sold food to the Egyptians until they ran out of money, then traded food for their animals, land, and eventually their freedom, making them slaves. He notes that Joseph's actions ultimately preserved the nation of Egypt.
The Consequences of Forgetting Good Deeds
The author points out that after Joseph's death, a pharaoh arose who did not remember Joseph's contributions. This led to the enslavement of the Israelites. He uses this as an example of how quickly people forget the good deeds of others and begin to believe their own press.
The Power of Prioritizing God and People
The author reiterates the importance of prioritizing pleasing God and serving people, as Solomon did in his prayer. He suggests that praying this prayer daily will remind one of their purpose and cure depression by shifting focus from self to others.
Revisiting Solomon's Prayer with New Understanding
The author revisits Solomon's prayer, emphasizing Solomon's humility and recognition that he was serving God's people, not his own. He highlights that Solomon's prayer was not for himself but for the ability to better serve others.
God's Response to Solomon's Prayer
The author explains that God was pleased with Solomon's prayer because it was not self-seeking. God granted Solomon wisdom and understanding, surpassing anyone before or after him. Additionally, God bestowed upon Solomon riches and honor, even though he did not ask for them.
The Money is Just the Bonus
The author emphasizes that the money is not the true success, but rather a bonus. The real success lies in discovering one's purpose, developing oneself for that purpose, and deploying oneself in that purpose. He encourages listeners not to let their perceived inabilities prevent them from pursuing their calling.
Matthew 6:33: Seeking the Kingdom of God First
The author connects Solomon's prayer to Matthew 6:33, which advises seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, with the promise that all other things will be added. He explains that seeking the kingdom of God means yielding one's life to God as a sovereign King and using one's assignment to serve others.
The Kingdom of God: A Present Reality
The author clarifies that seeking the kingdom of God is not just a future, heavenly experience, but a present reality. He asserts that Christ should be ruling and reigning in one's life today. Yielding to God as King leads to becoming the king or queen of one's own assignment, using it to serve others.
The Ultimate Experience of Life
The author concludes that there is no better experience of life than yielding to God as the sovereign King and using one's assignment to serve others. He shares that he was happy even when he was broke because he was yielded to God. He emphasizes that the money and other blessings are just byproducts of seeking God's kingdom first.
Solomon's Wisdom and Wealth
The author notes that after Solomon prayed this prayer, he became wiser than all the men of the East and Egypt. Kings from all over the earth came to learn from him, highlighting the blessings that follow when one prioritizes pleasing God and serving people.
Personal Commitment and Conclusion
The author shares his personal commitment to using all his abilities to please God and serve people. He emphasizes that serving others is serving God, as how one treats others reflects how one treats God. He encourages listeners to pray for wisdom to fulfill their purpose in a way that pleases God and serves others.
