As we continue to discover a proper understanding of prayer and how we are to pray, let’s turn to Daniel 9.
We see in Daniel’s prayer many of the same elements we discovered in Solomon’s dedicatory prayer. The prayer was prompted by Jeremiah’s prophecy, “that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years” (verse 2). The seventy years were now drawing to a close, so Daniel “turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes” (verse 3). Daniel was serious as he humbled himself before God.
He, like Solomon, began his prayer with worship. He addressed God as the “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love.” Then, throughout his prayer he makes reference to things that are true about God. He says, “Lord, you are righteous…The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving…(you) brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and …made for yourself a name that endures to this day.” His plea for forgiveness and the restoration of Jerusalem was not based on the righteousness of God’s people, but on God’s great mercy.
Though he asked for forgiveness for their sins, his ultimate desire is found in verse 19. “O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” Did you get that? His request for forgiveness and the restoration of Jerusalem was for God’s sake, for the honor of His Name.
The purpose of prayer is not to get things from God, but for God to get glory.