I've just finished reading the book of Daniel again. What a book. What a godly man. What a God he served! Like many of you, I was raised on the stories of four young men who dared to be different (Daniel 1); of three of those men of faith thrown into the fire (Daniel 3); and of Daniel himself thrown into the lion's den (Daniel 6). Thus we may feel we are familiar with the book of Daniel.
But when you read and re-read the book of Daniel, you cannot help but be impressed with his faith and his commitment to daily prayer. He prays with great humility and great passion; and his prayers are heard in heaven and answered, sometimes immediately. (Daniel 9:21-23; 10:12 - 14)
Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 can teach us much about how to pray. If you can take time to read it now or in the near future, here are a few things to note:
Daniel has a high view of God and of God's love. (9:4)
Daniel confesses the sins of his people. (9:5 - 6) He himself is not guilty but he identifies fully with his people and so prays "we have sinned; we have been wicked; we have turned away; we have not listened." He recognizes that the judgment of God is righteous and just.
Daniel prayed at great length. I am sure what we read in these verses is merely a summary. (9:3)
Daniel pleads with God to answer and act: "hear the prayers and petitions of your servant; Give ear, O God and hear; open your eyes and see; O Lord listen! O Lord forgive! O Lord hear and act." (9:17 - 19)
Finally notice that Daniel like so many of those whose prayers are recorded in the OT, does not pray just for his own sake or for the sake of His people. Daniel is concerned about God's honour and God's reputation. He does not pray with the idea that God must answer his prayers because of his righteousness but appeals to God's great mercy. ((17 - 19)
We can learn a lot about prayer from Daniel's godly example! Thank you Lord, that in your Word, you do teach us to pray.
But when you read and re-read the book of Daniel, you cannot help but be impressed with his faith and his commitment to daily prayer. He prays with great humility and great passion; and his prayers are heard in heaven and answered, sometimes immediately. (Daniel 9:21-23; 10:12 - 14)
Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 can teach us much about how to pray. If you can take time to read it now or in the near future, here are a few things to note:
Daniel has a high view of God and of God's love. (9:4)
Daniel confesses the sins of his people. (9:5 - 6) He himself is not guilty but he identifies fully with his people and so prays "we have sinned; we have been wicked; we have turned away; we have not listened." He recognizes that the judgment of God is righteous and just.
Daniel prayed at great length. I am sure what we read in these verses is merely a summary. (9:3)
Daniel pleads with God to answer and act: "hear the prayers and petitions of your servant; Give ear, O God and hear; open your eyes and see; O Lord listen! O Lord forgive! O Lord hear and act." (9:17 - 19)
Finally notice that Daniel like so many of those whose prayers are recorded in the OT, does not pray just for his own sake or for the sake of His people. Daniel is concerned about God's honour and God's reputation. He does not pray with the idea that God must answer his prayers because of his righteousness but appeals to God's great mercy. ((17 - 19)
We can learn a lot about prayer from Daniel's godly example! Thank you Lord, that in your Word, you do teach us to pray.
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