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DANIEL’S GREAT PRAYER
(Daniel 9:1-19)
…There are a number
of outstanding prayers recorded in the Bible. A few of these would include
Jesus’ prayer found in John 17 and the prayer He taught the __disciples__.
Others include David’s many prayers recorded in the Psalms, Solomon’s prayer,
Hezekiah’s prayer, and Elijah’s prayer on Mount Carmel. __Paul__ has two
prayers recorded in the book of Ephesians, and John’s final prayer, “even so
come quickly Lord Jesus.”
…Daniel
chapter 9 contains another great prayer. It is the greatest model of a
__confessional__
prayer found in the Bible. Daniel who prayed in his upstairs room and in the
den of lions is best known for his prayer in Daniel 9.
…The
setting for this prayer…verses 1-2…Darius’ first year of reign (538 BC) …Daniel
searched the
__Scriptures__
and discovered that Jeremiah had foretold that the captivity would last
__70__
years. (Jeremiah 25:11-12)
…So
Daniel, recognizing that the time was approaching when Israel could return was
moved to pray asking the Lord to do what He said He would do. Daniel
__prepared__
for prayer by: fasting, wearing a sackcloth and ashes. (v3) He left nothing
undone that might possibly make his prayer more
__effective__
or persuasive. He was totally focused!
THREE PARTS OF DANIEL’S
PRAYER OF CONFESSION INVITING US TO IMMITATE THIS EFFECTIVE PRAYER…Daniel’s humility, reverence, and earnestness are the
hallmarks of __effective__ prayer.
I.
Our Confessional Prayers, Like Daniel’s, Must Be
__Honest__
To The Core As We Confess Our Sins To The Lord. (vv4-11) …we must
__not__
excuse ourselves.
A. Daniel
began his prayer by __worshipping__
God telling of His greatness and goodness. He also tells of God’s loyalty in
keeping His covenant of love. V4
B. Next
Daniel so __identifies__
himself with his people in their sin that he repeatedly prays, “WE.”
…”we
have sinned,” “we have done wrong,” “we have done wicked, and have rebelled.”
(v5)
…”we
have turned away from your commands,” “we have not listened to your prophets”
(v6)
…”we are
covered with shame,” “we were unfaithful to you,” “we have not obeyed…”
(v.10)
…”all
Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.” (v11)
C.
Daniel
understands the reason for Israel’s __severe__
treatment was due to Moses’ words of warning. Moses gave the children of Israel
this principle: Obedience brings God’s blessing while disobedience brings His
discipline. ( Deut 28) Therefore, God was
__right__
to follow through and do what He had said. It was Israel that was unfaithful
and disloyal. (v 11)
II. Our
Confessional Prayers, Like Daniel’s, Must Acknowledge That God Has The Right To
__Treat__
Us As Our Sins Deserve. (vv12-14)…for sin
__always__
brings judgment.
A. Because
of Israel’s sin, God brought a great disaster upon His people. The horrors that
finally fell upon Jerusalem are described in the Lamentations. The city was in
seiged by the Babylonians for 2 ½ years. This brought starvation, cannibalism,
and __total__
destruction. No other ancient city had such a catastrophe. (v12)
B. Yet,
even in all this, Israel did __not__
repent of her sin…(v13)
C. God
is righteous, and this means __sin__
must be dealt with…(v 14)
III. Our
Confessional Prayers, Like Daniel’s, Must Include A Plea For The Lord To Treat
Us According To His Mercy. (vv15-19)…His mercy is our
__only__
hope.
A. Daniel
reminds the Lord that earlier He had brought Israel out of Egypt with a mighty
hand. (v15)
…even
here, he still sobs with confession: “we have sinned, we have done wrong.”
B. Finally,
Daniel brings for his __request__:
“turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem,” and “look with favor upon
on your desolate sanctuary.” (v 17)
…instead
of
__rushing__
into the presence of God with a mouth full of petitions, requests and demands,
Daniel sets a worthy pattern for all saints.
C. Daniel
makes his request on the basis on God’s wonderful MERCY. (v. 18) We have no
righteousness.
D. Daniel
prayed with a highly emotional and moving cry: “O Lord Listen!” “O Lord
forgive!” “Hear and act for your sake!” “O my God do not delay!” This was
an effectual, fervent prayer…and God answered it!
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. If
you are not saved, you're lost. You need to trust the Lord and be saved.
2. It is
still true today: Obedience brings blessing. Disobedience brings discipline.
3. Great
prayers are not great because they are long or eloquent. They are great
because they are childlike in nature, believing God.
4. Daily
spend time confessing your sins to the Lord. Keep your sin list short.
5. Take
comfort that God sets all the boundaries.
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