“…we have sinned, we have done wrong. Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, turn away Your anger and Your wrath…Lord, forgive!…” – Daniel 9:15-19 (NIV)
There is nothing wrong with morning prayers, mealtime prayers, bedtime prayers, and holiday prayers, among others. All are essential. However, there are times when special, strategic prayers of confession must be made for individuals as well as nations.
Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:15-19 is a powerful prayer that can change nations. It involves humbling ourselves, seeking God’s face, and turning from sin.
As Daniel spent time in Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning God’s people (Jeremiah 25), he was motivated to beseech God to keep His promise and to deliver His people from their exile. For an entire generation, Daniel’s people had been held in captivity by their enemies, the Babylonians, and separated from God’s place of blessing.
Daniel pleaded on behalf of his nation, Judah, which had come under God’s judgement. Daniel chose to pray persistently, claiming God’s promise for deliverance. God heard his prayer, kept His Word, and freed Daniel’s countrymen.
In this time when the nations on earth face uncertainty and possible judgement, we, too, can choose to pour out our hearts to God in earnest, sincere prayer. We can rend our hearts and watch Him do what is necessary for our nations.
How? We simply turn to the Cross (Jesus) and repent of personal and national sins, then persistently pray until God keeps His promise.
What Promise? Promises such as:
- 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2Chronicles 7:14 – NIV).
- Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I. (Isaiah 58:9 – NIV).
God keeps His Word, but waits for us to pray before heaven moves and nations are changed. Can we afford to pray like Daniel? We can’t afford not to. Daniel’s prayer is a commitment each of us can make. Are you ready to make that commitment?
Read: Jeremiah 25:32; Jonah 2:2
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 107:10-22; Galatians 1; Isaiah 33; Isaiah 34; Isaiah 35