Daniel’s prayer – another five lessons (Daniel 9)

Yesterday, we thought about five lessons from Daniel’s prayer. But there are at least another five that we can note.

First, we should observe the way in which Daniel in his prayer uses the attributes of God. He contrasts them with aspects of the lives of the Israelites. For example, he mentions God’s faithfulness in verse 4 and then mentions Israel’s unfaithfulness; he mentions God’s righteousness in verse 5 which led to Israel’s captivity, and says that their behaviour was shameful and treacherous; he mentions God’s mercy and forgiveness in verse 9 and then highlights the astonishing fact that the Israelites had not asked the Lord for mercy and forgiveness. These examples show us how Daniel’s prayer is based on the character of God, and his petitions flow out from what God is like and not initially from the needs of Israel.

Second, we should note how comprehensive Daniel’s prayer is, both in regard to God’s dealing with his people and in regard to how his people responded. Concerning God, Daniel refers to the covenant relationship he instituted with his people at Sinai, how he had sent prophets to warn them of their sins, and how he had kept his promise to chastise them severely. His prayer takes in the big picture of God’s dealings with his people. Then, regarding them, he mentions how all of them, from the kings downwards, had rebelled against God.

Third, we can see how Daniel identified himself with his people. In a personal sense, Daniel was not guilty of departing from God; nevertheless he was obviously aware that he has suffered in the corporate sufferings of Israel that God had allowed to happen as punishment for their sins. Daniel did not conclude that he was not part of the punished people. So he united himself with a backsliding, God-rejecting nation and asked the Lord for mercy.

Fourth, Daniel in his prayer made use of sacred history. It is clear from his petitions that he had grasped the history of God’s dealings with his people. So he could refer to the Exodus and to the giving of the law as well as to the backslidings and unfaithfulness of Israel over the centuries. This knowledge of God’s dealings with his people is one of the arguments Daniel uses in his prayer. He did not regard history as irrelevant; instead he used it in order to argue his case with God.

Fifth, it is obvious from Daniel’s prayer that his affections were fully involved. We can see how his mind was searching for arguments (the various details we have already mentioned), but he did not merely present a rational case to God. True, his arguments were not irrational, but neither were they impassive and unfeeling. His knowledge had not made him spiritually dry. His prayers were full of emotion as he pleaded with the Lord. Without affection, there will not be any pleading.

More reasons for daring to be a Daniel in prayer.