Oct 1, 2023
Scripture Reading: Daniel 9:1-11
We would have to agree with Paul that often "we do not know what to pray for as we ought" (Rom 8:26). There is help in the Scriptures, instructing us in how to pray. For example, the Lord's Prayer is a pattern for our prayers. And there are verses like 1 Jn 5:14 which teach us how to pray. ". . . if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."
We can also learn how to pray from looking at the prayers of great people of God. We have a prayer from such a man in Daniel 9. Daniel was a man of prayer (Dan 6:10) and Daniel 9 gives us an extended example of one of his prayers.
One thought which permeates Daniel's prayer is the majesty of God. God is viewed as great, awesome, faithful, righteous, compassionate, forgiving, wrathful (Dan 9:4,7,9,16). As Daniel approaches God, his soul is filled with wonder, reverence, and majestic thoughts of the Almighty Creator.
On the other hand, and rising from considering the glory of God, Daniel feels the weight of his own sin and unworthiness. He feels shame and recounts how rebellious he (and the Israelites) had been (Dan 9:5-11,13). This is one inevitable result of contemplating the immensities of God.
These two general thrusts of this chapter (the wonder of God and the sinfulness of people) ought to form the framework of our prayers. Only at the end of this chapter does Daniel mention his request (that the Israelites be restored to their land). And even then, the basis for the petition is the honor of God. ". . . for your sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate . . . Delay not, for your own sake, O my God" (Dan 9:17,19). The purpose of prayer, like everything else, is the glory of God.