Daniel modeled a prayer of humility and honesty
___Many people do not pray because they misunderstand of the nature of
God. Some people find it hard to believe God cares enough to be
interested in their lives. Others question whether God is powerful
enough to act favorably in the various situations of their lives or the
world.
___Christians can approach God in prayer, not because of their own
character, but because of God's unique character. A person's view of God
dramatically affects both the attitude and practice of prayer. Daniel
9:1-10, 15-19 presents an excellent model of both the spirit and content
of prayer when the focus is truly on God.
___One notices in the opening verses that Daniel was searching
diligently the prophetic word of Jeremiah in the Scriptures. As Daniel
carefully studied the prophecy of Jeremiah, he noted, "The desolation of
Jerusalem would last 70 years" (Daniel 9:2). As Daniel counted the years
he had spent in the court of Nebuchadnezzar, then the days that had
followed during the
period of Babylon's difficulties, succeeded by the triumph of the Medes
and Persians under Darius, he realized the 70 years mentioned in
Jeremiah's prophecy were almost complete. He concluded the day of the
deliverance of the Jews was drawing near.
___Daniel's personal investment in the study of Scripture was not a mere
intellectual exercise. What he learned from Jeremiah's prophecy stirred
him so deeply that he bowed before God in prayer. He could have taken
the approach, "If it is God's purpose to restore his people, then he
will carry out that purpose, and there is no need to be personally
involved in the matter." However, Daniel knew that when God is about to
work, he usually begins by drawing his people closer to himself,
especially if they have wandered from him. Daniel knew spiritual
blessing awaited God's people if they approached God with humility,
repentance and praise.
___To approach God in prayer on the basis of his greatness, holiness and
mercy means his people approach him with a sense of personal
unworthiness. Daniel did not accuse the Jews who had acted so
disobediently in years past, nor did he blame his contemporaries at that
particular moment in Israel's history. He set his own face toward God
and "pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in
sackcloth and ashes" (Daniel 9:3). This was an outward expression of a
deep and inward repentance.
___In Daniel's prayer, note the frequency of the personal pronouns, "we"
and "our." An example of the spirit of Daniel's prayer is found in
Daniel 9:5, "We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have
rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws." In this
prayer, Daniel acknowledged God's right to judge his people, yet he
pleaded for the mercy and forgiveness of God. Daniel included himself in
every confession and petition.
___How relevant is the application of Daniel's prayer to contemporary
religious life! The sound of murmuring and complaining, driven by pride
and selfishness, seems to prevail in many religious settings. The
practice of blaming others for the withdrawal of God's blessing is all
too prevalent. God is calling his people to make the humble confession,
"We will not pass judgment upon them. We will not lift up our hearts in
spiritual pride and say, 'Thank you God that we are not as they are.' We
too are a part of that Church which has failed."
___God is waiting for his people to acknowledge before him, "We cannot
dissociate ourselves with other Christians, and we take our place with
them and bow our heads in your presence and own the fact that we have
sinned."
___This prayer of Daniel invites the entire family of Christians to join
him in his spirit of humility and repentance and to throw their arms of
love and faith around each other and say, "O God, we, not they, have
sinned and done this evil in your sight." When God's people approach him
with this kind of honesty and sincerity, that is when they can look to
him expectantly for a measure of restoration and blessing.
___It is this truth that shines out so beautifully in Daniel. Although
he is a man of unusual faithfulness (perhaps the most devoted man of his
generation), he identifies himself with his failed and failing nation.
___Note the pathos of Daniel 9:18, 19, with which Daniel concluded his
prayer--"Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the
desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of
you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord,
listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God,
do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
___Prayer of such a character will never fail to receive an answer from
God. |
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