Prayer Now Does Not Prevent Dedication Later

This is my complaint against my accuser. But may you, most religious Augustus, live through many years to come and celebrate the dedication of the church. Surely the prayers offered for your safety by everyone are no hindrance to that celebration. Let these ignorant people stop such misrepresentations; let them learn from the example of the fathers, and let them read the Scriptures. Or rather, let them learn from you, who are so well instructed in such histories. Let them learn how Jeshua the son of Jozadak the priest, and his brothers, and Zerubbabel the wise, the son of Shealtiel, and Ezra the priest and scribe of the law, when the temple was being built after the captivity and the feast of tabernacles was at hand (which was a great feast and time of assembly and prayer in Israel), gathered the people together with one accord in the great court within the first gate, which faces east. They prepared the altar to God, and there they offered their gifts and kept the feast. And afterwards they brought their sacrifices there on the sabbaths and the new moons, and the people offered up their prayers. And yet the Scripture says plainly that when these things were done, the temple of God was not yet built; rather, while they prayed in this way, the building of the house was going forward. [a]

So neither were their prayers put off to wait for the dedication, nor was the dedication prevented by the gatherings held for prayer. The people went on praying in this way, and when the house was entirely finished, they celebrated the dedication and brought their gifts for that purpose, and all kept the feast for the completion of the work. And this is what the blessed Alexander and the other fathers did too. They went on gathering their people, and when they had completed the work, they gave thanks to the Lord and celebrated the dedication. This is what befits you too, O emperor, most careful in your inquiries. The place is ready. It has already been sanctified by the prayers offered in it, and it needs only the presence of Your Piety. This alone is lacking to its perfect beauty. So supply what is lacking, and there make your prayers to the Lord, for whom you have built this house. That you may do so is the prayer of everyone.