Doctrine: Prayer (Daniel 9)

As I was doing my 1st graders BSF lesson with her this week.

I asked her what prayer God had answered recently for her.

She didn’t hesitate…

Dinner.

When I asked her what she meant- she said “We had pizza 2 nights in a row- I prayed for good food..and I got it.”

I don’t know what that says about my cooking…however- what I do know- is that

Our Doctrine this week is prayer.

I think it’s safe to say there is A LOT we could say about prayer.

At it’s core…prayer is just talking to God.

One description I read this week said: “Prayer is entering into the throne room of the reigning, eternal King of the universe, gazing at His majesty, soaking in his goodness and grace, and being changed a result.”

Prayer is all about relationship with God -- A relationship that He initiates. A divine gift.

Prayer is not a lifeline, it’s a lifestyle.

It’s about relationship with God..a relationship that He initiates with us.

A beautiful and divine gift.

As we have worked our way through the book of Daniel- we see that Daniel was a man of God because Daniel was a man of prayer.

Most notably in Daniel 6 we see that prayer wasn’t just something he did in crisis..it was a daily habit. An ongoing appointment with his creator he did not miss.

This week, in Daniel 9- not only do we see him pray, but this time- we hear his words.

We see a man who knew his God…as he intertwined words of scripture and spoke his truths back to Him…

Prayer is not about God knowing us- it is about us knowing Him.

When we pray- our hearts and minds align to His.

as we seek His will..His glory…His plans- through prayer he reveals himself to His people….to you…

As I studied Daniel’s prayer this week, I was struck by deep expression of lament that came with his prayer.

He is fasting…in sackcloth and ashes.

I imagine that praying in this way…with this fervency for himself and his people…was exhausting.

and took energy and effort out of him.

however, as one pastor said:

”Prayer—though it is often draining, even an agony—is in the long term- the greatest source of power that is possible.”⁠

Do you believe that?

Do you believe that your prayers matter.

That they are powerful.

How often do you view prayer as the “do nothing” reaction?

Bridge to Doctrine: A faithful man of prayer and student of Scripture, Daniel committed to pray to his awesome God, repenting and expressing the rebellious state of his people. He prayed God would fulfill His prophecy and return His people to their promised land.

Daniel 9:4-19

● Prayer reflects a believer’s relationship with God—faith, trust, and dependence on Him.

● Led by the Holy Spirit, we speak to God in prayer. He speaks to us through His Word.

● Prayer turns our affections from ourselves to God’s design, will, and ways.

● Prayer includes adoration, thanksgiving, confession, and petition.

● Prayer is a means for us to participate in God’s work on earth.

● When I do not pray, I neglect the opportunity to engage with God and His work in the world.

When I do not believe God hears and answers prayer, my prayers become meaningless and ritualistic. In dismissing the power of prayer, I miss out on communicating with and growing in relationship with my Creator.

● When I believe in and practice prayer, I get to talk personally with God each day. I know He listens. I trust He cares. I know He has the power to accomplish anything He desires. And I have the privilege of seeing how He responds through His Word, people, and circumstances in my life.

At BSF- everything we do begins in prayer.

Prayer allows us to lead from a place of rest- confident that God’s purposes will be accomplished.

I have had the privilege of seeking God in prayer for many of you in this room as you entered leadership…and not one of your stories is the same.

We pray for God to reveal leaders and he faithfully does that- but the circumstances and the way he reveals and draws looks different each and every time. I never cease to be amazed at the intimate and intricate ways he works to build and sustain this leadership so that His work here can continue.

It has been said that a sunset is proof that God colors outside the lines.

When I look at this leadership…a leadership built on prayer and the power of God.

Its like a beautiful sunset…one that only God could have created…

every BSF leadership circle is unique..but they are all..uniquely beautiful.

Through prayer we seek him- and he responds- in his way and his time- and we can trust that regardless of the HOW…

The ways God leads, directs, and guides as he builds up this leadership circle year after year never ceases to amaze me.

The following concepts can be developed into applications specific to your leaders:

● Prayer reminds us of God’s omnipresence.

– Believers can pray to God anytime and anywhere because He is everywhere all the time.

Most importantly, He dwells within us.

– As we understand God through His Word, we are more able to see the world as He does, follow Him more closely, and live in holiness.

– How does God’s loving presence through prayer give you His comfort, confidence, and courage?

● Prayer is an invitation to surrender to God and participate in His plans.

– Although God can work through anyone, our prayers allow us, in big and small ways, to intentionally give ourselves over to Him, surrender every outcome to Him, and praise Him for His answers.

– Prayer offers the opportunity to be relieved of burdens of guilt, outcomes beyond our control, and inclinations toward self-will or perfection.

– What challenge, decision, relationship, or issue in your life is God calling you to surrender to Him in prayer?

● Prayer seeks to give God the glory that rightfully belongs to Him.

– As we give God glory in prayer, He moves us away from idolatry and self-glorification.

– How do God’s glorious attributes impact your prayers?

– Giving God glory in prayer today foreshadows what believers will do throughout eternity.