Daniel Unlocked #55

Daniel Unlocked #55. A Pattern for Pleaders.

We should note a few points in Daniel’s prayer. First, nowhere in Daniel’s prayer is he asking for any kind of explanation for the calamities that happened to the Jewish people. He knows the reason. Indeed, the bulk of the prayer consists of Daniel himself recounting the reason: “We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets” (Dan. 9:10). About 10 years earlier we left Daniel having a need to understand something. That was at the end of Daniel 8, when he says he does not understand the vision of the 2,300 evenings and mornings (see Dan. 8:27). The second point is that this prayer is an appeal to God’s grace and willingness to forgive His people even though they have sinned and done evil. In one sense, we see here a powerful illustration of the gospel. We see sinful people who have no merit of their own, seeking grace that they don’t deserve and for forgiveness that they haven’t earned. Is this not an example of where each one of us is, individually, before God?

Another aspect of Daniel’s prayer deserves mention: the appeal to the honour of God’s name. That is, the prayer is not motivated by Daniel’s personal convenience or that of his people, but for God’s own sake (Dan. 9:17–19). In other words, the petition must be granted because God’s name will be honoured.

Notice the personal pronouns in this prayer passage; “we” have done wrong

Daniel’s prayer is just one among other significant intercessory prayers contained in the Bible. Such prayers touch God’s heart, staving off judgment and bringing deliverance from enemies instead. When God is ready to destroy the entire Jewish nation, the intercession of Moses stays His hand (Exod. 32:7–14, Num. 14:10–25). Even when severe drought is about to consume the land, God answers Elijah’s prayer and pours out rain to revive the land (1 Kings 18). As we pray for family members, friends, and other people or situations, God hears our prayers and can intervene. Sometimes it may take longer for a prayer to be answered, but we can rest assured that God never forgets the needs of His children (see James 5:16). In this case, Daniel plays the role of an intercessor, or mediator, between God and the people.

From his study of the Scriptures, the prophet realizes how sinful the people have become as they transgress God’s law and refuse to hear God’s warnings. Recognizing their desperate spiritual condition, Daniel prays for healing and forgiveness. But the prophet also identifies with his people. In some aspects Daniel illustrates the role of Christ as our intercessor (John 17). However, there is a radical difference: Christ is “without sin” (Heb. 4:15) and therefore has no need to confess personal sin or to offer sacrifices for personal forgiveness (Heb. 7:26, 27). But He identifies Himself in a unique way with sinners: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21, NIV).

If you would gather together everything that is good and holy and noble and lovely in man and then present this to the angels of God as acting a part in the salvation of the human soul or having merit, the proposition would be rejected as treason. We have nothing to offer God for our salvation. That is why it is a gift.