This is a Bible study on prayer - specifically the prayer of Daniel (Daniel 9). 

Source: The Outlook, 1985. 3 pages.

The Prayer of Daniel

Read Daniel 9:2-19

Daniel ranks among the greatest heroes of Old Testament times. While he was still very young he stood head and shoulders above the other Jews found in Babylon. He was heroic in the stand which he took against the commandment of the Babylonian king regarding the food which he and his friends were to eat. He would not "defile himself with the king's dainties" and thereby sin against the law of his God concerning clean and unclean food. Again, although he knew the edict which had gone out that no one was allowed to pray to any god for a certain time, he prayed to the Lord his God as he had done before. Neither did he do this in secret; with his windows open to Jerusalem, so that anyone could see him, he prayed. He would not permit his religious practices and convictions to be compromised by those who were out to entrap him. Regardless of threatened consequences, he felt safe only in obedience to his God.

Prompted by a Scripture🔗

Daniel's lengthy prayer in the ninth chapter of his book is an example of confession and intercession which has seldom been equaled. This prayer is occasioned by the fact that Jeremiah had spoken of 70 years of captivity for the people of God. The end of their captivity would be closely connected with the fall of Babylon, the country which had taken Judah captive. Daniel studied the prophecy of Jeremiah, and many of the expressions used in this book remind one of the style of Jeremiah. He refers especially to chapters 25 and 29 of Jeremiah's prophecy. Babylon has fallen. Darius the Mede is on the throne. Persia has conquered Babylon. It had seemed for a long time that this kingdom of Babylon would continue for ages because of its strength. However, the strength of the nations is a fleeting thing. Since Babylon is fallen, is the redemption of Israel from this captivity now coming near? Perhaps the rest of the people have not taken note of Jeremiah's words or understood the time when Judah would go back to its own land. This prophet, Daniel, sees the implications of the words which God spoke through Jeremiah, and he now begins to plead for his people. The prophet is fully aware of his duties. He will speak the word of God when he is called to do so and he will also intercede for his people as a true priest of God. Such leaders God's people need!

Addressing God🔗

The prayer which Daniel utters in this chapter is not a liturgical prayer, as some have thought, but it is an intensely personal prayer which he prays for the whole people. This is not a contradiction in terms. He feels himself one with the people of Judah and with her kings. He pours out his heart in this prayer. It gives us a glimpse of the true spiritual life of a devout child of God. He begins in all humility. Even though he is a great man in the kingdom of Darius, as he also was in the kingdom of Babylon, before the face of God everyone is simply a sinner. He calls on his God in prayer "with sackcloth and ashes." These often in Scripture denote an attitude of deep humility. Thus Daniel addresses God.

God is now spoken of in the highest and most endearing terms. He is the covenant God. It is important that God's people realize that they come to God Who has given His promises to His people and that these promises shall always stand. No other people know of a god such as Jehovah. But, He is also the great and dreadful God. He is awesome in His power. However, He is the One Who keeps covenant and loving-kindness with all those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Penitence🔗

This, however, is the difficulty. Why should this God listen to the prayer of Daniel or any of these people? They have not kept His commandments? They have done the opposite. Although it is the purpose of Daniel to pray for the release of the people of Judah from the bondage of their captors, he must first make confession. The sin of the people was the reason they had been led into captivity. They had not repented of their sins. They had often bemoaned the state in which they found themselves now, but they didn't come to the conclusion that it was their own fault. Daniel says, "we have sinned." He completely identifies himself with the people of God. They have dealt perversely and have done wickedly. They have rebelled and have turned away from the commandments which their God had given them to keep. God had sent His prophets again and again to inform the people of their sin and the danger of their ways but we didn't listen to them. They had not listened to the Lord Himself when He warned them.

The prophet now draws a clear contrast between the God against whom they have sinned and His people. To God belongs righteousness. All that He does is righteous. Men must confess that! They must confess that even when they do not understand! On the other hand, to the people belongs confusion of face, utter shame! This is true of all the people. They ought to be ashamed of the fact that their God had to send them into this captivity! Shame belongs to them as long as that captivity continues! He has scattered them out of their own land. They have been sent to Babylon and to various other nations. All Israel, the northern kingdom as well as Judah, is guilty of the sins which Daniel confesses. Had there only been this spirit of confession years ago — how different would have been the history of His people! They have trespassed against their God. They are guilty of treason! Unless God shows lovingkindness, there will be no hope for Judah.

Daniel reiterates his confession in verse 8. It is now evident that this shame belongs not only to the common people, but also to their leaders. They must also come ashamedly before their God. Kings and princes and the fathers must all humble themselves under His mighty hand. A man's station in this life or in this world is of no use to him when he appears before God!

The situation of his people and the reason for their captivity do not fill the heart of Daniel with hopelessness. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him. The nature and character of God give hope. The situation of the people is bleak. Looking at them now or in the past would smother all hope, but with the Lord are mercies and forgiveness! And this people desperately need these! They have to live on the mercies and the forgiving spirit of God. The people have rebelled and do not deserve His favor. They have not obeyed the voice of their God which came to them through the prophets. They have gone their own way. This has cost them their freedom and their prosperity. When will this people learn that the law of their God is for their profit? When will they learn that their life is only to be found in their obedience to the commandments which He has given? Daniel prays for them and confesses the sins of the people. Who else prays so in Judah? They continue in their waywardness.

It may seem to some that Daniel is repetitious in this prayer. The truth is rather that there is no end to the sins which have to be confessed. He includes all Israel, not distinguished in northern and southern kingdoms, in the confession he now makes. Because all the people have transgressed, God has dealt with them as He had already warned in the law of Moses. He is righteous. He does all that which He said He would do. They have now experienced it. They could have known long before it actually happened that evil would come upon them because they had turned from the law which He had given through Moses. One may not deal lightly with the law of God. He holds man to it. Its demands stand.

He has simply confirmed the words which He spoke in the earliest times, says Daniel. He had warned them time and again. He had warned their judges and rulers throughout their history. No other people had laws like Israel's. No other people was blest as Israel was. Therefore, when they fell, they fell lower than any other people. No city has now suffered the way Jerusalem has suffered. When the best falls, it falls lower than all others. This was the people that should have known what to expect. God did not "wink" at any of the sins of Israel!

The law of Moses had plainly warned of the great evil that would befall those who would not obey its admonitions. This had been made so clear to Israel that everyone of the people should have realized it. Then, when the evil came, they should have realized that it came because of their sins. But, they didn't. "We have not entreated the favor of Jehovah!" Unbelievable! "We have not turned from our iniquities. We have not confessed our sins." Of what good is the truth to such a people as this? They have not used it wisely. Seem­ingly they have not learned anything from the truth which God had revealed to them.

God was always aware of the sin which Israel committed. Therefore He brought all this present evil on the people. He maintains His righteousness!

Daniel will mention the sins of the people again before he concludes this prayer, but he now comes to the purpose of this prayer. He reminds the Lord of the way in which He had redeemed Israel out of Egypt. He has obtained a great name among all people for that deed, and, even though it is so long ago, that fame continues till now. However, let the righteousness of God stand and let His anger and wrath be turned from Jerusalem. Is this possible? Can there be forgiveness while the righteousness of God is maintained? Of course! That is the gospel! Let the Lord now hear and answer the prayer of this humble child of God. Do it not for us, but for Thy great name's sake. Jerusalem is closely connected with the Name of the God of Israel. That city is called by His name and it is lying desolate. Daniel prays "Not for our righteousnesses, for we have none, but for Thy great mercies' sake, Oh Lord." Let the mercies of God be extolled. Daniel pleads for forgiveness. If the sins are taken away, Jerusalem can be restored! Now, in very brief sentences he pleads for God's mercy. "Lord, hear. Lord, forgive. Lord, don't postpone. This city and this people are called by Thy name!" Not only is the glory of Israel departed, but the name of God will not be properly honored as long as Jerusalem is desolate.

This beautiful prayer teaches us to pray. It teaches us to pray Biblically.

Questions for Discussion:🔗

  1. Daniel knew what time it was on Gods clock by study­ing the prophets. Is it true today that we could better know our times through such study?
     
  2. Are the attributes which he ascribes to God logical? Is there any conflict between, His covenant faithfulness and His righteousness?
     
  3. Must confession always have as prominent a place in prayer as Daniel gives it?
     
  4. How is the former redemption from Egypt a real source of comfort to Daniel when he prays for the deliverance out of the present captivity?
     
  5. Is there a conflict between God's forgiveness and the fact that He remembers all the sins which are committed against His law?
     
  6. In the concluding verse of this prayer Daniel unites the honor of the name of God to the answer to his prayer. Do we dare to do that? Do we dare to "hold Him to His word?"

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