2 Chronicles 6:21 Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.
In Solomon’s dedicatory temple prayer, he asks the Lord to hear from His dwelling place in heaven and forgive. Prayer is our response to God coming to live among us and granting us access to Him through the blood of Christ our Sacrifice.
Solomon prays, and expects the people to pray, for several specific requests: crime, enemies, drought, famine, foreigners, war, and sin (6:22-39). This prayer list is a representative sample. God is concerned with whatever we face. He wants us to turn to Him in prayer. Prayer is our response to God’s promises. We come into God’s presence (within the heart) through Jesus’ blood and righteousness. We present our needs, and we know God cares and hears. We don’t let our suffering or lack of resources cause us to doubt His care.
We don’t any longer go to the dwelling place of stone; we go into the Presence of God in the dwelling place of the believing heart.