The character of Daniel's prayer is known in the response given to it
(vv. 20ff). It was a prayer that was swiftly answered. The testimony of
heaven to this prayer was that it was one prayed by a man much loved.
What can we learn from Daniel's prayer to help us in praying for our own
nation?
I. HIS PRAYER WAS PRAYED IN UNDERSTANDING OF GOD'S WILL (vv.
1-2).
A. He knew God's will from "the books" (see 2 Chron. 36:21;
Jer. 25:9-12; 29:10).
B. He knew God's plan; that is the completion of the judgment in
Babylon (Jer. 27:6-8).
C. Before we pray for our nation, we should take the time to know
God's will from His word; and then ask according to His will.
II. HIS PRAYER WAS PRAYED IN HUMILITY (v. 3).
A. With his face set toward Jerusalem (2 Chron. 6:19-21).
B. With fasting, sackcloth and ashes (visible signs of humility).
C. Before we pray for our nation, we should make sure that our own
hearts are properly and genuinely oriented toward Him in humbleness.
III. HIS PRAYER WAS PRAYED WITH A CLEAR RECOGNITION OF WHO GOD TRULY
IS (v. 4).
A. To YHWY - that is, the covenant keeping God of Israel.
B. To Adoni - that is, Lord and Master.
C. To Elohim - that is, to the Strong One.
D. We should make sure that we begin our prayer by confessing who
He is.
IV. HIS PRAYER WAS PRAYED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO BE HONEST ABOUT SIN
(vv. 5-15).
A. Note that righteous Daniel owned the guilt of his own
people - praying "we".
B. He admitted the sins specifically.
C. He admitted the justness of God's judgment.
D. We should be sure that our prayer confesses sin as God sees it.
V. HIS PRAYER WAS PRAYED AS AN APPEAL TO GOD'S HONOR (vv. 16-19).
A. He prayed what he prayed for the sake of God's righteousness
(vv. 16-17).
B. He prayed with the request that God look upon that which is called
by His name (vv. 18-19).
C. He made his request, not out of his own merit or the merit of
his people, but out of God's mercy (v. 18).
D. Let's make sure that our asking makes God's honor our chief concern
- and not our own comfort or peace.
