Daniel’s prayer Daniel 9 – Key chapter Greatest prophecies concerning times, purposes, coming and death of Messiah Edward Denny – “the Backbone of Prophecy” 3 Parts: Preparation – vs 1-2 Prayer – vs 3-19 Prophecy – vs 20-27 Daniel 9 – The preparation (vs 1-3) Daniel is in his late 70’s (67 years after captivity) Reading the scriptures Specifically Jeremiah (25 & 29) Understands the captivity is nearing its end Moved by fact – “time is short” to pray Daniel 9 – The prayer (vs 4-19) Daniel prayer is a priority: Fiery furnace King Neb’s dream Lion’s den Prayer can be controversial esp. public – in the name of Jesus Christ Persecution Daniel faced same controversy – lion’s den Satan hates prayer. Why? Powerful It is his undoing & demise Our Problems in Prayer: Some wait until the crisis until they pray Trouble is already here and you are in crisis Need to see it as communication as children with Father in heaven Model prayer as taught by Lord Jesus Christ: "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (10) Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. (12) And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. (13) And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matt 6:9-13 NKJV Daniel’s prayer similar to Model Prayer Charles Spurgeon – "prayer is the rope that you pull down below so that the great bell rings up above in the ears of God." Daniel’s Prayer – 4 strands of the rope – 4 points Strand #1 – Humble adoration King of kings – not King Darius Puts our troubles in perspective Jews begin prayer with adoration - Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam - "Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe God is: Great and Awesome Righteous Merciful and forgiving Daniel uses terms of adoration, Jesus taught us to begin with adoration – hallowed be Your Name… Do we take the time to worship & adore God? Or just rush into our “needs” As we mature – so should our approach to God in our prayers – e.g. – baby to mature adult Strand #2 – honest confession Jesus taught – forgive us our debts Daniel Prays: Dan 9:5 NKJV Plural – Daniel recognizes he is also part of the problem – (we x 16, our x 17, us x 9) Isaiah 6 – when we see the holiness of God, we see ourselves in the right perspective Leonard Ravenhill – "The self-sufficient do not pray, the self-satisfied will not pray, and the self-righteous cannot pray.“ Shame = embarrassment or guilt – bad guilt vs. good guilt. Our prayers begin looking upward (adoration); looking inward (confession), then outward (intercession) Strand #3 – heartfelt petition Daniel looks outward to pray for others What he sees happening around him – Asking God – look, forgive, act, do it (amen)! - vs 17 – 19 Sense and Nonsense about Prayer - Strauss Intercessory – sympathetic – entering into lives of others with loving care Hardest form of prayer (Epaphras – laboured in prayer Col. 4:12) If we don’t – become spiritual couch potato – resort to criticism, slander, gossip Difficult to be angry with someone if you are praying for them! Strand #4 – Holy motivation For the Lord’s sake Emphasis on You Glory of God is the priority James 4:1-3 – wrong motives in prayer – our own lusts and desires – asking amiss Difficult to be angry with someone if you are praying for them! Matt 6:9-13 …For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen How is your prayer life? Do you prepare for prayer – Word of God Do you enjoy spending time with God? Do you know Him?

“Pull the rope, pull it frequently” Remember the 4 strands: Adoration Confession Petition Holy motivation