Scripture to Read: Daniel 9:4–21
As Daniel prayed, we read in Daniel 9:20–21, “Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, 21 while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.” Notice that Daniel did not just pray what is recorded in Daniel 9:3–19, but Daniel was praying continuously. Daniel was in intimate conversation with God and laying himself before God’s throne of grace. We know prayer was a vital part of Daniel’s life for we saw that in Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.” Prayer was a daily part of Daniel’s life. Daniel had an intimate fellowship with our Lord, and that is what God desires from us as His children. We should not have to be reminded to pray, but we should be in such constant fellowship with our Lord that our prayer life is as natural as breathing. The sweet promise for us is that as we pray, we have the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26–27) and Jesus (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25) praying with, for, and through us.
Challenge & Application
• What does it look like for you to be in constant fellowship with our Lord throughout the day?
• Why should prayer be like breathing to us, and why is it vital to our growth as Christians?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!