Sermon Tone Analysis

Daniel’s Prayer for Revival

Introduction

VV. 1-2

A refresher on Daniel

A refresher on Daniel

Jew: exiled from his homeland by the Babylonian army

A government official and a very wise man: interprets the dreams of kings

A Godly man: he refuses to stop praying to God even at the cost of his life and job

Preface

The bulk of the chapter is Daniel’s personally recorded prayer

Before he begins, he sees fit to tell us two things

First, the recorded events take place in the first year of Darius

What is happening in the first year of Darius?

The Babylonian city, where Daniel and other Jews were captives, had just been captured by Darius.

This was important to Daniel.

As a government official he knew that a change in government often meant a change in policies.

Second, his prayer was prompted by reading the letter of Jeremiah to the captives.

This letter reminded them that their own sins against the LORD had led to their exile

It also promised that after 70 years, God would punish Babylon for its violence and allow the Jews to begin returning to their homeland.

Thus, Daniel, seeing the fall of Babylon, remembered the words of Jeremiah, who told the people that God would have mercy on them after 70 years of exile.

What did Daniel do? Did he throw a party?

Pack his bags?

Book tickets back to Israel?

The first Daniel did was got down and prayed.

More important to Daniel than being restored to his homeland was seeking a restored relationship with God.

VV. 3-15

v.4-6 Contrasting God and Israel’s covenantal preformance.

notice how Daniel addresses God.

He calls him great and awesome.

Daniel had first hand experience of God’s awesome care.

God had helped Daniel interpret dreams and had saved him from death multiple times.

He calls him great and awesome.

Daniel had first hand experience of God’s greatness.

The heathen nations around Daniel believed that gods were only concerned with those people within a certain jurisdiction.

If you were outside the land where a heathen god was said to be in charge, that god would no longer care for you.

But time and time again, Daniel’s God showed that he was not limited to the country of Judah.

Rather, Daniel’s God shows up time and time again to protect and help Daniel throughout the book of Daniel.

Several times in the book of Daniel, the heathen kings whom Daniel served praised God as the God of gods, as the king of kings.

Daniel begins his prayer by acknowledging God’s might.

He also calls him the one who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments.

Daniel is using covenant language here.

Further on we will see him mention the Law of Moses.

This is also called a covenant.

In the covenantal section of the Law of Moses (See ), God agrees to bless Israel if they obey, and to curse them and send them into captivity if they disobey.

Daniel is saying that not only is God mighty, but he is also fair and just.

Israel, on the other hand, has willfully failed to obey God.

It is not that they forgot about God’s law.

To make this clear, Daniel mentions the prophets.

The prophets were somewhat like God’s supervisors.

The nation was warned time and again about their persistent disobedience by these men and women.

Note how Daniel places guilt on the whole of the Jewish nation.

He says the prophets were sent to the kings, the princes, the fathers, and to all the people of the land.

And still the whole nation was uninterested in following God’s commands.

What was the result

VV. 7-15

Twice the law of Moses is mentioned (vv.

11-12,13)

This is the covenant which all of Israel agreed to keep ()

This covenant came with blessings and curses.

Blessings if they worshiped the Lord, trusting in him to provide, and treating each other fairly and generously.

Curses if they worshiped other god’s, trusting in human strength, and cheating one another.

v. 14: Daniel says that the calamity was kept ready.

When Israel began to trust in gods of wealth, and gods of war, and began to treat their neighbors and even their family unfairly, and would not listen to the prophets, but killed them, God allowed those curses written in the Law of Moses to fall upon the people of Israel.

Nowadays, the world doesn’t want to hear of a God who judges, or who sends people to hell.

To them it seems unfair.

Daniel has a different idea.

He says God is right for doing as he did (v.

14).

Daniel is clearing God’s name, saying that the Jews have received what is their due.

I like how he summarizes the position of God and Israel in v.15

God, you have been gracious and just to Israel

And in return, we have been ungrateful and foolish children.

Daniel, however, does not stop there.

VV. 16-19

Daniel has just acknowledged to God that his people have been complete and utter heels to God, and now he has the audacity to ask for God’s mercy?

How can Daniel ask for mercy in light of Israel’s complete and utter failure?

He can ask because his confidence does not lie in Israel’s character.

(See and repeat first highlighted section).

His confidence lies in his personal and a Biblical knowledge God’s mercy and grace

He can ask because his confidence is not on Israel’s character.

Daniel’s knowledge of God’s character was personal: this God to whom he prays has saved him from lions, from angry kings who has sent angels to protect his friends and explain dreams.

Rather his confidence is

Daniel’s knowledge of God’s character was also Biblical: Daniel tells us of his study of Jeremiah’s letter earlier at the beginning of the chapter ().

This is a God, who while delivering the bad news of certain punishment through Babylon , promised a coming restoration.

What can Daniel teach us about prayer for revival

First, prayer is not focused on getting what we want

Daniel isn’t thanking God that he

After reading Jeremiah’s letter, Daniel didn’t say “It’s about time,” and quickly pack his bags for Israel.

Rather, he was focused on restoring the damaged relationship between Israel and her loving and gracious God.

You may have many people on your mind, for whom you pray.

Perhaps friends with illnesses, or children who are busy.

While it is good to pray for health and peace, remember that the most important thing you can ask for is a right relationship to God through Jesus Christ.

Second, prayer for revival is not based on our goodness, but on God’s goodness.

God is like that good Father or Mother, who disciplines their child when they act in ways harmful to themselves and others, but genuinely wants what is best for their child.

Often, people complain that the church is full of hypocrites.

They often feel like they should leave the church because of this.

Daniel shows us a better way.

He was well aware of his nation’s failures.

But rather than separating himself from his people, when he prayed, he included himself.

He said “we have sinned.”

Only a heart who has been forgiven by the grace and mercy of Christ will pray for others to experience this same fellowship.

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Just because God promises revival does not negate the need to passionately pray for it.