Prayer of Declaration

When we use scripture to frame our prayer life and guide our confession of sin, we can pray in confidence, knowing that we are humbling ourselves in submission to the word of God, ready to be convicted and rebuked of whatever sin is entangling us.

“Daniel remembers God’s word and God’s works. In confessing, Daniel directly quotes Deuteronomy 7:9 and frames his prayer by Israel’s failure to obey the law of Moses (Daniel 9:11). In exiling Israel, God is simply confirming the oaths and curses he laid down in Deuteronomy 28. Even more than that, Daniel remembers the great works of God, especially the exodus, when God brought his people out of Egypt with a mighty hand (Daniel 9:5). - Joe Rigney, Desiring God.

We can remember both God’s warnings (Hebrews 10:26-31) and discipline (Hebrews 12:7-11), as well as his promises.

Restoration: Seek/Plead Confidently

Daniel pleads for God’s mercy as he did in Chapter 2 (which we explored on day 7). The way Daniel asks for God to restore Israel isn’t because he really wants it to happen and thinks it’d be a good idea, but because he recognises that he would be seeking God’s mercy based on a declaration God had made to Jeremiah to restore Jerusalem.

“In doing so, Daniel demonstrates his deep faith in Yahweh’s fundamental character toward his people: he is a God compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Exodus 34:6-7).” - Joe Rigney, Desiring God.

What does this mean for us? The author of Hebrews makes it clear that we can come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16).

God is a God of good judgement and is also loving, forgiving, and merciful to those who humble themselves before him (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 103:8-18). The prayer of restoration of God’s promises and will is powerful. Our daily prayer is” let your kingdom come and let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).

Prayer for today

Father, I ask for confidence in repentance, which brings the confidence to remember your promises and come boldly into your throne to seek restoration of those promises for me individually, for my family and friends, and for others.