Special forgiveness needed

Do you pray? You may say I am not a praying man. One of the smartest man in ancient times is Solomon. He was a praying man. That tells me that if you are smart, you should be a praying man. This chapter that I read today is Solomon's prayer dedicating the temple built for God. This verse jumps out at me.

2 Chronicles 6:21, And may You hear the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive.

I read this on the web: The Jewish custom of facing Jerusalem for prayer may have influenced the Muslim Qiblah. ... When relations with the Jews soured, Muhammad changed the Qiblah towards Mecca. Another reason given why the Qiblah was changed is that Jews viewed the use of Jerusalem as signalling the Muslims' intention of joining their religion.

As prescribed by Solomon, many today are facing Jerusalem for prayer. The Muslims initially did this because of the influence of Judaism on their prophet. But whatever or whoever does or did this, the one thing that jumps out at me is Solomon's prayer for God to forgive.

We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. No, there is not one righteous. All need the forgiveness of sin. All righteous acts are as filthy rags before God. We can never be justified with our works. No amount of praying for the dead will get them to heaven. Only God can forgive. Turn to Him today, pray and receive His forgiveness through the sacrifice of Jesus in the cross.

Father, help me to pray now.

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