1 Kings 8:54 When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.
Early church tradition tells us James, the half-brother of Jesus, spent so much time kneeling in prayer that his knees became thick, leathery, and calloused, like the knees of a camel in the desert. King Solomon, the wisest king of Israel, knelt down before the Lord in the magnificent temple that he built and prayed a profound heartfelt prayer. The prayers from the calloused knees outlived Solomon.
Solomon prayed to the Lord not only to bless the people but he also petitioned that when they sin against the Lord and are taken as captives by their enemies, the Lord would be gracious to them. He prayed, “Lord God hear them when they pray to you toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause” (vs 48-49). The gracious Lord did not forget the prayer of Solomon. Almost 350 years later, Daniel prayed to the Lord as his forefather Solomon had taught him. He opened the windows towards Jerusalem where the temple was built, knelt down, and prayed to the Lord His God three times. God heard the petition of Daniel and brought them back to Jerusalem.
Our prayers and righteousness are the most valuable treasures that are stored up for the generations to come.
Camel’s Knees:
- Posture: Our posture matters. The leathery, calloused and thickened prayer knees become our badge of honour.
- Petition: Petitions from the calloused knees and the children of a praying man/woman are never forgotten. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed (Psalm 112:2).
- Possession: The most valuable possession that we can leave back for our children is our ardent prayers. The networth of Solomon was beyond measure, but the only possession that lasted was his sincere prayer at the dedication of the temple.
Our praying old camel’s knees is the most precious inheritance that we can leave for our future generation.
Prayer: Father God, May my knees be calloused and thickened like the Old Camel’s Knees. Amen.
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