Prayer for a Nation

Perception: Daniel Believed God’s Promise (vv. 1-2)

Daniel is near 80 years old. (approx.. 538/537 B.C.)

He is reading Jeremiah and counts it as the authoritative word of God (60 years or less after it was written).

In order to understand what God is doing in the world and in your life you have to be in the Word!

God’s Promise – Jeremiah 29:10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.”

Why 70? See God’s command and decree on the land for the seventh year. (Lev. 25:1-5; 26:33-35)

God’s Purposes – Jeremiah 29:11–13 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

To fulfill His Word. See 2 Chronicles 36:20–21 “He took into exile in Babylon those who had escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and to his sons until the establishment of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its Sabbaths. All the days that it lay desolate it kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.”

To bring his people to repentance.

To restore them to himself.

God’s Plan – Jeremiah 29:14 “I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

Petition: Daniel Prayed For God’s Forgiveness (vv. 3-19)

He Exalted God’s Character – 4

He Confessed his people’s sin and God’s Righteousness – 5-14

He confessed their failure to listen to God’s Word - 5-6

He contrasted God’s righteousness with their sinfulness – 7-8

He contrasted God’s faithfulness to His Word with their failure to keep their word. – 9-14

He made his request – 15-19

Based on God’s ability to save. – 15

Based on God’s glory. - 16-18a

Based on God’s mercy. 18b-19

The Provision of God’s Plan

Gabriel came to reassure Daniel of God’s love for him personally, and his faithfulness to his promise.

Application:

God hears the prayer of one who is sincere and confesses their sin.

God acts based on his glory and character, not our worthiness.

Intercession for a nation or people is based on the mercy of God.