Daniel: Prayer Warrior at work

Prayer

We have many examples in the scripture about prayer, faithful prayer, persistent prayer, a pattern of prayer. No better example of prayer can be found than in this section of scripture before us tonight.

We can all use improvement in our prayer life can’t we? I know I can. As we look at this section tonight see what you pick out about items of Daniels prayer that you can bring into your prayer life.

I. Occasion to pray

(Slide) The year is about 539-538 BC, Darius the Meade has assumed the throne

(Slide) Daniel is reading the Prophet Isaiah’s words regarding the 70 years ()

Jeremiah 25:11–12 NASB95

11 ‘This whole land will be a desolation and a horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12 ‘Then it will be when seventy years are completed I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation,’ declares the Lord, ‘for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans; and I will make it an everlasting desolation.

(Slide) Daniel wanted to know the end of the 70 years; the end of the desolation of Jerusalem ()

Jeremiah 29:10–11 NASB95

10 “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Daniel knew the the timing of Jeremiah’s prophesy (about 605BC) so he knew it was getting close. Daniels Faith and belief was in the predictive prophesy of Jeremiah.

Notice in (v.3) the position, manner, dedication to prayer (Slide) ()

Daniel 9:3 NASB95

3 So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.

Gave attention

Sought by prayer and supplication

Coupled with fasting and sackcloth

(Transition) So the occasion, position, manner and the dedication to prayer are in place now look at how Daniel pours out his heart in the prayer

II. The Body of Prayer

Adoration (v.4) - What a beautiful picture he paints here of adoration, pulling from words of Moses in Deut7:21 (great and awesome God) and Nehemiah from (Neh9:32) God who keeps covenant and lovingkindness.

Don’t want to get ahead of myself, the prayer is broken down.

(Slide) Pattern of Prayer

Adoration (v. 4)

Confession (vv. 5-14)

Petition (vv. 15-19)

A. (Slide) Confession (9:5-14)

(Slide) Daniel does not exclude himself in the sinfulness of Israel (we, us, our)

(Slide) Daniel names Israel’s sins (which lead to captivity in first place)

(Slide) sinned, done wrong, been wicked, rebelled, turned away, and not listened

(Slide) Sinned = missed the mark

(Slide) done wrong = committed iniquity

(Slide) Rebelled = they have rebelled against their God

(Slide) Turned away = constant action of turning from

(Slide) Not listened = they have not listened to the Prophets, they have not repented and returned

(Slide) There is a contrast shown of the faithfulness and righteousness of God and the unfaithfulness of Israel (vv.7—8)

All have rebelled against God

Daniel knows God is just and will keep his word and pass judgment on the rebellious people covenant breakers

(Slide) God is faithful to keep His Word, including judgment (vv.12-14)

(Slide) In the prayer, he acknowledges God’s word and works (calamity)

(Slide) It was foretold in the Law of Moses

(Slide) Judgment fell because Yahweh is righteous in everything He does.

Sometimes we may forget that God is just and we bring calamity on ourselves because we can become rebellious.

(Slide) Even as Christians we are at risk of falling from grace (see Gal5:1-3) or having our light removed (Slide)

Revelation 2:5 NASB95

5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

Revelation 1:6 NASB95

6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:6 NASB95

6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 2:6 NASB95

6 ‘Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

(Transition) so they are in captivity because of the things they had done, the time of captivity is about done and Daniels prayer isn’t. Still more to go as he now makes his petition

B. (Slide) Petition (9:15-19)

(Slide) In the spirit of remembering God’s promise to keep covenant Daniel calls on the God who is a covenant maker and keeper.

Joshua 24:17 NASB95

17 for the Lord our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did these great signs in our sight and preserved us through all the way in which we went and among all the peoples through whose midst we passed.

(Slide) Daniel prayed for restoration (Slide) ()

Daniel 9:17 NASB95

17 “So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary.

Do we know people who need restoration? Do we pray for them? Eventhough we know they may have brought on calamity themselves as it speaks of in (v.16) we should still pray for restoration.

(Slide) From a prayer for restoration, to a plea for attention to the prayer. Daniel wants God to “give ear” to the prayer. (Slide) ()

Daniel 9:18 NASB95

18 “O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion.

*Expand on v.18 -

Incline - Gog give attention, lean in, hear the plea of my heart

Open your eyes at the desolation (expand on the evil of today)

Daniel comes knowing he/we have nothing to bring of merit, but that God in His history His promises, His mercy, His compassion, His grace does. Daniel calls on God’s nature, on God’s character.

(transition) from a heartfelt plea for attention to a passionate please for action now as we finish out this section.

(Slide)

Daniel 9:19 NASB95

19 “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

(slide) O Lord hear!

(Slide) O Lord forgive

(Slide) O Lord listen and take action

(Slide) O Lord act now!

III. True Prayer is . . .

(Slide) True prayer is based on the fact that God speaks (v.2) also (Slide) ()

Hebrews 1:1 NASB95

1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,

(Slide) True prayer seeks the glory of God (v.19)

(Slide) True prayer appeals to the mercy of God (v.18)

(Slide) True prayer expresses the needs of the people of God (vv.16, 17, 19) (also )

Hebrews 4:16 NASB95

16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.