Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Daniel 9 and Psalm 150

Jeremiah had been the final prophet in Jerusalem before it fell to the Babylonians, and Daniel would personally have heard him prophesying before he was taken into exile. Now, years later, during the reign of Darius, while contemplating the Sciptures and remembering Jeremiah’s words, Daniel received revelation from God that the exile would last seventy years.

I suspect that our natural human tendency would be to sit back and wait, since God has already determined the timeline. But Daniel’s approach was to contend in prayer for the will of God to be fulfilled. He began an extended season of prayer, confessing his own sin and the sin of his people, and interceding for the Lord to restore His people to Jerusalem (v.20). This season of prayer is highly likely to have coincided with Darius’ decree, which banned prayer to anyone other than the emperor (See Daniel 6). Despite the threat of death, and even when it led to his persecution, Daniel continued to contend for God’s will to be done – morning, noon and night – praying: “‘Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favour on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.’” (v.17-19)

God has revealed His will to us in various ways as disciples of Jesus. But our Lord Jesus taught us to pray, “May Your Kingdom come, and may Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s kingdom is coming. God’s will cannot be resisted in the end. But, our call remains to pray God’s Kingdom into being, and to pray for His will to be fulfilled, and speedily! Will you take up that calling today? Will you be as committed to praying for God’s will to be done as Daniel was?

Come Holy Spirit, inspire me to pray. Teach me to pray. Empower me to pray. Lord Jesus, help me to present my prayers as an offering before the Heavenly Father. And, Heavenly Father, hear my prayers, and let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in my life, in my family, in our suburb, our Church, our City, our Country, our Continent and our world. In the strong and mighty Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.