1 Kings 8-9: Hear Us from Heaven

The temple is finished.  The priests brought the ark to the temple and placed it between the wings of the cherubim in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place.  When the priests went out from the Most Holy Place, the cloud of the glory of the Lord filled the temple.  While the assembly was still standing there, Solomon blessed them and then praised God for letting him be the one to build the temple.  He then prayed a prayer of dedication:  "LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart." - 1 Kings 8:23 KJV

'Keep your eyes open toward this temple day and night', Solomon prayed, 'this place where you said that your name would dwell.'  "Hear the supplication 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. " - 1 Kings 8:30 NIV

When a man wrongs his neighbor, hear from heaven and be the judge.  When your people are defeated by their enemies, hear and bring them back.  When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because the people have sinned, hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your people.  When a prayer if made by one of your people, aware of the sinfulness of their own heart, hear from heaven and forgive.  When a foreigner comes to you with outstretched arms, hear and answer their plea so all will know and fear you.  When your people war against their enemies, hear from heaven and uphold their cause.  And most importantly, when your people sin against you, and there is no one who does not sin, when they fall on their knees and cry out to you with penitent hearts, hear from heaven and forgive.

When the prayer of dedication and the sacrifices were complete, God appeared to Solomon and told him "I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.  - 1 Kings 9:3 NIV