Scripture to Read: Daniel 9:3–19
As we examine Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9, again, God reveals to us why the nation of Israel had been taken into captivity for almost 70 years when Daniel wrote this prayer. We know from God’s Law, which He gave to Moses, that God warned the Israelites that if they chose not to obey Him, then they could count on the curses of God being poured out on them. One of those curses was being taken captive by other nations. Since this was written 67 years into the exile of the nation of Israel, Daniel knew that God’s discipline was coming to an end. What God reveals to us throughout Daniel’s prayer is an awareness of His timeless covenant and that He blesses those who obey Him and His Word (James 1:25), and He lovingly disciplines His children when we disobey Him and His Word (Hebrews 12:5–11). One of the lessons we learn from this is that the better we know the Word of God the better we will know the revealed will of God because God reveals His will through His Word. We also learn how to pray according to His Word. God tells us in 1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” God is NOT saying that He must answer our prayer requests outside His will. But God loves answering our prayer requests when they align with His perfect will from His perfect Word (Ephesians 1:18–21, Colossians 1:9–14, and many more).
Challenge & Application
• What does God reveal to us throughout Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:4–19?
• How can we pray according to God’s will, and how are you learning to pray scriptures like Ephesians 1:18–21, Colossians 1:9–14, Philippians 1:9–12, and others?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!