Thank you, LORD, for this Wednesday that You have blessed us with – and good morning, brother!Read Daniel 9:3 – 19.
The Bible is filled with numerous examples of powerful prayer being lifted to our Good God, and today’s scripture is certainly a prayer that we should closely examine.
This intercessory prayer of Daniel was prompted by his clear understanding of the times as revealed through prophetic scripture (Jeremiah 25, 29; Isaiah 44, 45); and by Daniel’s heartfelt desire to see God move quickly to restore Jerusalem. As you read today’s passage, think about the following “what if’s”:
Daniel obviously was interceding in prayer on behalf of Jerusalem and its inhabitants and all Israel – WHAT IF we all interceded in like manner today on behalf of our nation?
Daniel acknowledges that the people of Israel have sinned and rebelled, but the LORD is forever righteous (vv 7) “O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, …because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You.” – WHAT IF our prayers of intercession were filled with recognition of our nation’s transgressions against the LORD and repentance for the sins we have committed against Him?
Daniel tells the LORD that (vv 13) “all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God” – but WHAT IF we all as mighty men of God take the initiative and pray for our nation right now, so “that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.”?
And WHAT IF we confess that our great country is in trouble; that our United States, established by Believers, has lost its way; that we need God now more than perhaps anytime in our history? WHAT IF we all pray in agreement with Daniel’s mighty petitions before the LORD, and lift up our nation and our people just like he did in closing his compelling intercession (vv 17 – 19)?:
“Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.””
WHAT IF?
II Chronicles 7:14 – “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Heal our land, LORD! Amen!
