Why Must Our Prayer Be Toward God’s Interest for Him to Hear Us?

 

Why Must Our Prayer Be Toward God’s Interest for Him to Hear Us?

1 Kings 8:48 – “If they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul… and pray to You toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and the house which I have built for Your name.”

Daniel 6:10 – “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem) and kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” 

Aspect	Why Must Our Prayer Be Toward God’s Interest for Him to Hear Us?
Meaning	To pray toward God’s interest means that our prayer is directed toward the goal of God’s eternal economy—Christ, God’s kingdom, and God’s house (the church). Such prayer is not self-centered but centered on God’s interest, aiming for His testimony and rule on the earth.
Reason	God’s hearing of prayer depends not on human emotion or zeal, but on whether the prayer aligns with His purpose and economy (1 John 5:14). When we pray toward the holy land (Christ), the holy city (the kingdom), and the holy temple (the church), we touch God’s interest, and He surely listens.
Symbolism	1. Holy Land – Typifies Christ as the allotted portion of the saints (Col. 1:12; Deut. 8:7). 2. Holy City – Signifies the kingdom of God manifested in Christ (Psa. 48:1–2). 3. Holy Temple – Typifies God’s house, the church, His dwelling place and center of His interest on the earth (Eph. 2:21; 1 Tim. 3:15).
Result	When prayer is aligned with God’s interest, He hears, acts, and fulfills His will far beyond what we ask or think (Dan. 9:21–23; Eph. 3:20). Such prayer brings in the realization of God’s purpose and His governmental move on earth.
Purpose	To accomplish God’s eternal economy—so that Christ may be expressed, the kingdom established, and the church built up. The focus of prayer is not on self-need but on God’s divine plan.
Examples	1. Solomon (1 Kings 8:46–53): He prayed that when God’s people were taken captive, their prayers toward the holy land, city, and temple would be heard. 2. Daniel (Dan. 6:10; 9:3–23): Even in captivity, he opened his windows toward Jerusalem and prayed three times a day for God’s holy city, mountain, and people, receiving the revelation of the seventy weeks.
Application	1. In prayer, aim first toward God’s interest before praying for personal needs. 2. When praying for others, focus on God’s will and testimony in them. 3. Pray for the increase of Christ, the spread of His kingdom, and the building up of the church.
Burden	The saints must learn to shift their prayer focus from self-interest to God’s economy, praying for His will, His interest, and His testimony, that He may gain the glory, the kingdom, and His dwelling place.
Prophetic Guidance	In prophesying or ministering, emphasize prayers that are directed toward God’s interest—Christ, the church, and the kingdom. Such utterance builds up and restores the church and aligns the saints with God’s economy.
Conclusion	God hears the prayers that are directed toward His interest. When we pray toward the holy land (Christ), the holy city (the kingdom), and the holy temple (the church), our prayer matches God’s heart and advances His economy on earth. His hearing becomes the manifestation of His governmental action to fulfill His purpose.
Related Scriptures	Daniel 9:16–19 – “O Lord, according to all Your righteousness… let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem… O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Your own sake, O my God; for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” Colossians 1:12 – “Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you for a share of the allotted portion of the saints in the light.” Psalm 48:1–2 – “Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised… Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, the city of the great King.” Ephesians 2:21 – “In whom all the building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord.” 1 Timothy 3:15 – “…the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth.”

 

🔍 Key Points Summary

1.      Principle of God’s Hearing – God responds not to emotional pleading but to prayers aligned with His interest.

2.      Prayer Focus – Shift from self-centered to Christ-, kingdom-, and church-centered prayer.

3.      Spiritual Practice – Open the “windows toward Jerusalem” daily—keep your heart aimed at God’s goal.

4.      Outcome and Blessing – When prayer matches God’s heart, His answer is immediate and surpassing (Dan. 9:21–23).

5.      Ultimate Purpose – That God may gain the glory, the kingdom, and His dwelling—fulfilling His eternal economy.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 3: Prayer for Essential Kingdom Life