2 Chronicles 6:28
If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be: If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
The verse belongs to Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple after it was erected. He prayed it vocally while kneeling upon a brazen scaffold in the presence and hearing of the people of Israel, with hands lifted toward heaven while the congregation bowed with faces to the ground, and its words are preserved in the Bible.
It names dearth or famine, pestilence or disease, blasting and mildew or crop damage and blight, locusts and caterpillars or insect infestations, enemies besieging them in the cities of their land, and whatsoever sore or sickness as occasions for prayer. When every man knowing his own sore and grief spreads forth his hands toward the temple, Solomon pleads for God to hear from heaven His dwelling place, forgive, and render to every man according to his ways because He alone knows the hearts of men. This hearing and forgiving is so that they will fear Him and walk in His ways in the land given to their fathers.
After the prayer ended, God answered by sending fire from heaven to consume the burnt offering and by appearing to Solomon by night to say He had heard his prayer. The verse therefore stands as evidence supporting vocal, public prayer as a practice God hears and answers. The prayer teaches that God is not confined to a temple building; He meets His people by His Spirit when they gather for worship and visits them wherever they are.