Daniel's Prayer

 

    Anyone who has spent anytime studying the Bible knows about the Daniel Fast.  Most churches even have services over what may be the most popular Biblical fast.  However, very few talk about Daniel's prayer.  I don't think anyone means to over look the topic, but each prayer mentioned in the Bible has am important purpose.  

    Prayers reveals the mind, heart, soul, and environment of the person writing the prayer out.  Each prayer with God's heart at the center has power, but the power in writing a prayer out is different.  It is no longer an aspiration or desire.  It is a prayer made in expectation.

    Daniel understood the Israelites and why they were the way they were after studying Jeremiah's writings.  He understood the desolate state that would last 70 years and how they got to that point.  He understood and cared.  He was about 15 when his nation fell and he went into captivity, but here he was about 81 years old.  That is why he had to go to God with urgency.  He didn't have time to waste.  The 70 years were nearly complete and he didn't want God's people to make the same mistakes again.

    Daniel prayed, petitioned, and fasted while wearing mourning clothes including ashes to express sorrow and contrition.  Daniel's prayer consisted of his love for the covenant made with God.  He acknowledged his and the leader's part of the nation falling.  He knew that they all needed to do better by being obedient.

    In Daniel's prayer he acknowledged who God was and confessed any sin he was aware existed.  Then he acknowledged how the nation had failed and deserved their judgment, but asked God to hear his voice and see His people with compassion.  Daniel asked for mercy and forgiveness without delay.  His entire prayer was for God's sake, to bring Him glory, not the people.  His prayer revealed an open, vulnerable, broken heart with the desire of healing.

    While Daniel was still praying, God answered.  He sent the angel Gabriel to Daniel to give Daniel insight and understanding.  He told Daniel about how it would all end. It would take 70 periods of seven years for rebellion to end.  The end of sin and iniquity would give way to everlasting righteousness.  That means something like 490 years.

    Daniel was to seal this vision/prayer.  It would be a process and the people were not ready to know about all the trials and conflict that would have to be overcome.  Gabriel revealed that it would be hundreds of years before the Anointed One would come, but Jesus would be triumphant after a series of events.  

    God will answer your prayers, it just may be in a way that was completely unexpected and maybe never have been foreseen.  He may tell you things that you don't want to know.  Are you prepared to see, hear, or confront anything that God gives you?

Daniel 9