And here is a devotional reflection I’ve written based on Daniel’s great intercession for his nation from exile in Babylon…
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If you’re concerned about the welfare of our nation and the world and feel compelled by the Spirit to engage in the noble work of intercession let me recommend Daniel 9.1-19 as a pattern prayer! Just read it over again this morning during “coffee with the Lord” and was deeply moved and challenged by its character and contents.
In it, Daniel begins with an acknowledgement of God’s greatness and character.
He then acknowledges the sin and rebellion of the nation (but instead of self-righteously isolating himself from the sin of the nation, he identifies with the nation personally, in true “prophetic” fashion, with the personal pronoun “We” … “We have…”)
He also acknowledges God’s righteousness in all that has happened to the nation because of their sin… “To you, Oh Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame because we have sinned against you.
But then, he returns to appeal to God’s character: “To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness.”
On the basis of the character of God he completes his intercession by pleading to the Lord to listen to his prayer, asks God to do it “for His own sake” and once again admits, “We do not present our pleas before You because of our own righteousness, but because of your great mercy!”
He pours out his final appeal passionately with the words, “Oh Lord, hear! Oh Lord, forgive! O Lord, Pay attention and act! Delay not, for your own sake, Oh my God!”
What a prayer! What a pattern for caring Christians in their Spirit-prompted intercession for their nation and world in troubled times! Let’s pray!!!
Coffee With The Lord 