6:18–39 Solomon turns to the heart of his concern. He prays that the temple will be the national center for effective prayer. He begins with a general request to God to hear the people’s prayers (vv. 18–21) listing seven specific situations in which prayers may be offered in or toward the temple (vv. 22–39). This aspect of Solomon’s prayer would encourage readers in the time of restoration following the exile in Babylonia to make the restored temple the center of prayer in that time.