Daniel 9 (Family Service)

Daniel 9 | We Pray because of God’s Promises

What is prayer?

Prayer is talking to God

We can talk to God about everything

things we are thankful for, things we are upset with

We can talk to God anytime

good days, bad days

Why pray? Why talk to God?

If God is sovereign why do we pray?

God knows everything- we can’t tell him something he doesn’t already know

There isn’t a problem in your life he doesn’t already know,

There isn’t a feeling you have that God doesn’t already know,

There isn’t a thought you have or will have that God doesn’t already know,

God knows everything

hidden, seen. known, unknown. past, present, future.

God is in control of everything-

he has today planned out, he has tomorrow planned out, he has next year planned out, he has 100 years from now planned, 100000 years from now planned out

so why pray to God if he knows everything and has a plan for everything?

Thats why

We pray because God knows everything

We pray because God has a plan for everything

We pray because of Who God is

we pray because of what he has said he will do

We pray because of God’s promises

ie: kids, are you scared to ask your mom for a snack?

no way!! because she has promised to always feed you.

(even if she never said, “I promise to always feed you”, you know she will, that is her plan and her priority. her promise)

That doesn’t mean she will give you any snack you ask for, but she promises to feed you, so you can ask her. she will feed you.

kids, imagine you’re playing in the park and you’re feeling realllllly hungry… feel it in your tummy

I’m standing at one side of the park

Your mom is standing at the other side.

Who are you going to go ask for a snack?

mom!!

But why not come ask me?

Because I don’t know what you need

mom knows what you need

Because I probably don’t have any snacks for you (no plan)

mom planned for you

Because i never promised to feed you!

If you come ask me for food, what will i tell you?

“go ask your mom”

She promised to feed you, ask her

Because of mom’s promise, we ask mom for all kinds of things we need every day- not anyone else

Because of God’s promises, we ask him

Because of God’s promises, we pray

This story is mostly about Daniel praying

but what inspired Daniel to pray?

Daniel prayed because he read of God’s promise through the prophet Jeremiah. what did he read? Its a big book.

Listen to this verse, 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.”

God promised to bring Daniel and his people home!!

The promise of God led Daniel to pray

Daniel confesses his sin

Daniel confesses the sin of his friends and family

Daniel confesses the goodness of God

“Forgive us, not because we are good, because you are good”

“Forgive us because of your name”

We pray because of the promises of God

We pray because of who he is, not because of who we are

my favorite promises in the Bible are:

John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

If you confess your sins and trust in Jesus, God will give you life

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

If you have trusted in Jesus, God is your biggest fan. Only good for you

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.””

If you have trusted in Jesus, then you are his and he is working in you, he is walking with you for your good every day

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

If you have trusted in Jesus, all things will be made right

Why pray?

we pray because of who God is- powerful and good

we pray because of God’s promises

we confess our sins because he promises to forgive

we pray for our neighbors and family and friends because he promises to save

we pray for this city because he promises to transform it

we pray for his deliverance, his provision, his help, his kingdom

because of his promises