Text: Daniel 9:3-19

Dear Young People,

PRAYER AND SUPPLICATIONS
Have you ever felt that you could pray better? Daniel probably felt the same way when he cried out to God and pleaded on behalf of Israel. He was well aware of the many grievous sins that the nation had committed. Israel had no excuse to offer God whatsoever. What was left was prayer. But what if simple prayer was not enough? Daniel then cried out to God in supplication, which was really a deeper and more earnest way of crying out to the Lord in heartfelt prayer.

"Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant,
and his supplications…"
Daniel 9:17

Daniel prayed with all his knowledge and with all his might. There was no other way out except to somehow pray and supplicate until God hears and answers.

HOW DID GOD REGARD DANIEL?
When Daniel cried out to God with these words, "Hear the prayer of Your servant", he pleaded with great humility. He was conscious that he stood in a very special relationship with God. He was a servant of God. Would God hear His servant as he cried out to him in humble prayer?

The Book of Ezekiel tells us that God had a special regard for Daniel, among others. Let us take time to read about how God made mention of Daniel in Ezekiel.

"Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job,
were in it (that is, Jerusalem), they would
deliver only themselves by their righteousness…"
Ezekiel 14:14,20

God would indeed hear the prayer of Daniel. God had a special sense of love and regard for this servant of His, because he was a man noted for his righteousness. How we must be challenged to lead a life of righteousness too if we desire our prayers and supplications to be heard by God!

PROFOUND ASPECTS OF PRAYER
How important it is to have a deep knowledge of prayer. We must not reduce prayer to over-simplistic terms. Prayer can be so simple a child can offer it to God meaningfully. However, prayer can also be difficult because of a multitude of sins committed.

As we take time to study the prayer of Daniel, we cannot help but be struck by the fact that Daniel's understanding of prayer was truly deep and profound. Let us be challenged to seek a deeper knowledge of prayer, so that we can offer significant prayers to God. How badly we need to deepen our understanding of prayer and supplication.

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 5th May 2002, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore