Summary of the Prayers in 1 Chronicles

Overview

These prayers are drawn from the narrative of David’s reign, his preparations for the Temple, and the organization of worship in Israel. These include a prayer for success in battle and end with a comprehensive prayer of praise, thanksgiving, and petition. Key themes include seeking God for victory, praising Him through music and worship, confessing sin, and responding to God’s goodness. The prayers reflect the Chronicler’s emphasis on the Temple and the importance of faithfulness, showing how prayer is integral to Israel’s spiritual and national life.

Summary of the Types of Prayers

The prayers in 1 Chronicles include:

• Praise: Prayers that focus on God’s character and sovereignty, often celebrating His greatness and faithfulness.
• Thanksgiving: Expressions of gratitude for God’s actions, such as His blessings and provision.
• Petitions: Requests made to God for guidance, success, or intervention, often tied to seeking His will.
• Blessings: Prayers that invoke God’s favor upon others, such as the nation or individuals.
• Confessions: Admissions of sin, seeking forgiveness and restoration.

First Chronicles does not mention laments, intercessions, prayer-vows, or curses. The emphasis is on prayers that foster a relationship with God through worship, gratitude, and humble dependence.

List of Prayers in 1 Chronicles

1. What is “Success” in Prayer and Faith? (1 Chronicles 5:20b)
   • Text: “They cried out to [God] during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him.”
   • Type: Petition
   • Summary: The Israelites pray for success in battle against the Hagrites, and God grants victory because of their trust. This prayer highlights that success in prayer is tied to faith and reliance on God, not merely achieving desired outcomes.
2. Finding Victory in Seeking and Following God (1 Chronicles 14:10, 14)
   • Text: “David inquired of God, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?’ The LORD said to him, ‘Go up, and I will give them into your hand.’ … David inquired again of God, and God said to him, ‘You shall not go up after them; go around and come on them opposite the balsam trees.’”
   • Type: Petition
   • Summary: David seeks God’s guidance before battling the Philistines, receiving specific instructions for victory. This prayer underscores the importance of consulting God and following His guidance for success.
3. God of Fear? Or God of Compassion? (1 Chronicles 16:4)
   • Text: “He appointed certain of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel.”
   • Type: Praise, Thanksgiving
   • Summary: David appoints Levites to offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving before the Ark, emphasizing worship as a response to God’s compassion rather than fear. This prayer sets a tone of joyful worship.
4. How to Pray a Prayer of Praise #1 (1 Chronicles 16:8-36)
   • Text: “O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples… Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD is king!’”
   • Type: Praise, Thanksgiving
   • Summary: This extended prayer, part of a psalm, calls for praise and thanksgiving for God’s sovereignty and deeds. It encourages proclaiming God’s greatness to all nations, modeling a structured prayer of worship.
5. How to Pray a Prayer of Praise #2 (1 Chronicles 16:8-36)
   • Text: (Continuation of the same psalm as above, with a focus on different aspects.)
   • Type: Praise, Thanksgiving
   • Summary: This second analysis of the same psalm emphasizes additional elements of praise, such as God’s covenant faithfulness and His role as Creator, providing further depth for modeling praise prayers.
6. Responding to God’s Goodness with Prayer (1 Chronicles 17:16-27)
   • Text: “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? … O LORD, you are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.”
   • Type: Praise, Thanksgiving, Petition
   • Summary: David prays in response to God’s promise to establish his house, expressing humility, praise, and a request for the promise’s fulfillment. This prayer models gratitude and trust in God’s promises.
7. What to Pray When God Makes Others Suffer for My Sin (1 Chronicles 21:8, 17)
   • Text: “David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, I pray you, take away the guilt of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.’ … ‘Was it not I who gave the command to count the people? It is I who have sinned and done very wickedly.’”
   • Type: Confession, Petition
   • Summary: After David’s sinful census leads to a plague, he confesses his sin and petitions God to spare the people. This prayer highlights the responsibility of leaders to intercede for those affected by their sins.
8. How to Praise, Thank, and Ask God (1 Chronicles 29:10-19, 20)
   • Text: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty… All this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.”
   • Type: Praise, Thanksgiving, Petition
   • Summary: David offers a comprehensive prayer before the assembly, praising God’s greatness, thanking Him for provision, and petitioning for the people’s faithfulness in building the Temple. This prayer models a balanced approach to worship.

What We Learned

First Chronicles reveals a rich tapestry of prayers that emphasize worship, dependence on God, and repentance. Key lessons include:

• Prayer as a Response to God’s Character and Promises: Prayers of praise and thanksgiving dominate, reflecting the Chronicler’s focus on God’s sovereignty and faithfulness, encouraging believers to center their prayers on who God is.
• Seeking God for Guidance: Petitions, such as David’s inquiries before battle, highlight the importance of seeking God’s will, demonstrating that success flows from trust and obedience.
• Confession and Responsibility: David’s confession after the census underscores the need for leaders to acknowledge their sins and seek forgiveness, especially when their actions harm others.
• Integration of Worship and Prayer: The use of music and structured worship in prayers (e.g., 1 Chronicles 16 and 25) suggests that creative expressions can deepen one’s prayer life.
• Balanced Prayer Life: The final prayer in 1 Chronicles 29 exemplifies a holistic approach, combining praise, thanksgiving, and petition, offering a model for comprehensive prayer.

These prayers provide practical models for us, encouraging a prayer life that is vibrant, relational, and rooted in humility and trust in God. By studying and practicing these prayers, we can enrich our spiritual lives, aligning our hearts with God’s purposes as exemplified in 1 Chronicles.