I have studied the Old Testament book of Daniel at least 4 times in the last several years and it never fails to be jaw dropping to me. It’s more than Shadrach, Meshak, and Abednego or the lion’s den, although those are miraculous events. It’s even more than the powerful King Nebuchadnezzar or the evils of Babylon. What impacts me most are the visions God, through his powerful warrior angels, gave to Daniel about how “things would go.” Some of these “things” were prophecies of future kingdoms that have since come and gone just as the visions described them. The last visions, the ones that troubled Daniel so greatly, are visions of the end times – the very end times. And these visions align with and help make sense of the visions the aging Apostle John had many years later and recorded in the New Testament book of Revelation.
In one of my Bible studies, we took the prayer of Daniel recorded in Daniel chapter 9 verses 7-19 (NIV) and wrote it out for our times. I ask that you pray aloud (if possible) as you read it, and believe the Lord of Heaven’s Armies hears.
PRAYER of Daniel
“Lord, You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—we the people, both near and far in all the places we live – we have been unfaithful to You. [8] We and our government, White House and world leaders are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against You. [9] You, our Lord and our God, are merciful and forgiving, even though we rebel against You; [10] we have not obeyed or kept the laws You gave us through Your servants the prophets. [11] All THE WORLD has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey You. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You. [12] You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster on every side. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what is being done in our nation and world. [13] Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your truth. [14] The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything He does; yet we have not obeyed Him. [15] “Now, Lord our God, who brought Your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for Yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. [16] Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from our city, our nation and world. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made our nation and Your people, Your church, an object of scorn to all those around us. [17] “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, Lord, look with favor on Your desolate believers. [18] Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the nation that once bore Your Name. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. [19] Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, my God, do not delay, because our nation and your people bear your Name.”
Praying the words Scripture knowing His words do not return void and believing God works in heavenly places and in the hearts of men. Forgive us Heavenly Father as we so often forget You are here!
In the power of Jesus’ name we pray.
Prayers and Paintbrushes 