1 Kings 8:57,58 - Prayer Brings Power - God's Grace.

1 Kings 8:57, 58: Prayer Brings Power - God's Grace.

1 Ki 8:57, 58 (KJV)  The LORD our God be with us, as he was with
our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may
incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his
commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our
fathers.

1 Ki 8:57, 58 (NIV)  May the LORD our God be with us as he was
with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn
our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands,
decrees and regulations he gave our fathers.

8:56-60 Solomon praised the Lord and prayed for the people. His
prayer can be a pattern for our prayers. He had five basic requests:
(1) for God's presence (1 Kings 8:57); (2) for the desire to do
God's will in everything; ("turn our hearts to him," 1 Kings 8:58);
(3) for help with each day's need (1 Kings 8:59); (4) for the desire
and ability to obey God's decrees and commands (1 Kings 8:58); (5)
for the spread of God's kingdom to the entire world (1 Kings 8:60).
These prayer requests are just as important today. [Life Application
SB]

Is God responsible to turn our hearts to him? (8:58)
People need God's help to make the right decisions. In fact,
though God gives individuals a free will, none could exercise that free
will unless God extended his grace. The fall left humankind trapped
by sin, which distorts our thinking and decision-making process.
That's why God takes the first step to turn our hearts to himself. But
we must respond. Sadly, many ignore God's overtures to them. [Quest
SB]

Our hearts are naturally averse to our duty, and apt to decline
from God; it is his grace that inclines them, grace that must be
obtained by prayer. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)

The closer a man draws to the Lord, the more fully he forsakes
the sinful things of earth, and the more ready he is to do all that
God requires. The Spirit of God leads men to obey and inclines them
to keep the commands of the law, but it does not do this against
man's will. When men are willing to obey they become inclined to obey.
The closer a man draws to the Lord, the more fully do God's thoughts
become his thoughts, and God's ways his ways. [SDA Commentary]