Another lesson in prayer . . .

 

READ Daniel 9–12

Many Christians learn patterns for prayer based on four letters. ACTS stands for adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. CAST stands for the same things but in a different order. Daniel puts these concepts together in his prayer as he is given visions for the future, both near and in the latter days. While we tend to minimize confession, Daniel fully acknowledges specifics and includes himself:

“O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.” (Daniel 9:4–15)

This alone is a ‘sermon for the day,’ a prayer that is easily rephrased to fit modern life, my life and some things I see in the Body of Christ. How can I expect God to hear our requests when sin blocks them from reaching His ears? It must be confessed. (Psalm 66:18 & 1 John 1:9)

Also, I see how Daniel’s supplication is mixed with adoration and great humility. He does not pray as if he is worthy to be heard or as if he is giving God orders about what He should do.

“O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.” (9:16–19)

An angel comes with another vision that Daniel understands. Amazing, to this day theologians still debate its meaning. Is that because our sin blocks the explanation? We are greatly loved; Jesus died for us, yet I wonder if we prayed more like Daniel prayed, would we also better understand what he saw and recorded?

(The angel) said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand." (12:9–10)

Lord, surely ‘being wise’ is key to understanding Your will. Your Word says wisdom comes with deep reverence for You. Enable me to see and confess sin as Daniel did, not so much as to understand his visions but to better hear, know and deeply worship You.