“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 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.” While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill- while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Daniel 9: 17-23, NIV.
Most Gracious God, we thank You for Your love and mercy. Please help us to believe that when we pray, our prayers are heard by a God who cares for His children. In the holy name of Jesus Christ we ask these favors. Amen.
Isn´t it wonderful to know that our prayers do not hit the roofs and return, but instead, are forwarded to the Great God of the Universe? I am so grateful! I am always encouraged when people know the LORD so well that they are not afraid to talk to Him with the honesty and frankness that they would, a very close and personal friend. There are several such prayers in the Bible, and this prayer of Daniel is one. After Daniel has brought his petition before God, He pleads with God to hear, to listen, to answer, for God´s name sake! Isn´t that the reason we want our prayers answered? So that we can bring glory to God’s name? Well, like Daniel, tell God that!
He not only asks God to hear, He also asks Him to open His eyes and see! Have you ever heard the phrase, it is one thing for me to tell you; it is quite another for you to see for yourself? Well Daniel is talking to God with that kind of confidence. Does Daniel not know that God sees and knows everything? Does he not know that nothing is hid from the eyes of God? Is he not aware that God sees the end from the beginning? I am sure he does, but he asks him to, anyway!
Then he appeals to God´s righteousness, and to His mercy. This is very important! On the day that Solomon dedicated the temple to God, one request that was very important to him was that, in whatever situation God´s people were found, and wherever they were, when they prayed to God from His temple, or directed their prayer toward His temple, God was to hear and answer their prayer. Now Daniel is reminding God to look upon His desolate sanctuary, and see the desolation of the entire city, and for the sake of the people, and the city that bore His name, he asked God to answer his prayer! It is so important that when we pray, we know what God has promised, and we claim those promises, not because of our merits, for we have none, but because of His great mercy!
Our Scripture for today informs us that Daniel was still praying when, ¨Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.” ” What a wonderful and mighty God we serve. In Isaiah 65: 24 we read the following: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” And just as He promised, He kept His Word. Before Daniel could finish his prayer, God sent His messenger Gabriel with a swift response. Praise His name!
God manifests His grace to us in so many ways. Every answer to prayer is an act of grace. You may be praying but not receiving an answer. Do some soul searching. Confess your sins. Ask for His mercy, and then expect an answer from the God of love and grace, who hears and answers prayer, speedily.
NOTE: To my dear faithful website friends and family: My sincere apology for the absence of devotionals on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. At present I am travelling and am having a difficult time printing and publishing my devotionals. By the grace of God, I hope to make up for those days. Please keep me and our website – yours and mine, in prayer. Have a blessed Sabbath.
Aloha dearest friend,
Since you began this series I have wanted to tell you how timely it was. This past week there was a storm in my home. I know that you once told me to flee, but I could not get out with my mother. But I stood there watching the storm as if from a distance and the peace that passes understanding was in my soul. I was truly hiding in the rock. I have been told to end this marriage but have asked God to show me. I am still waiting, but I have seen a change of my husband’s heart. Though I know not to be fooled by “hooks”. The point was I knew I was and have been hiding in the rock. I wanted to thank-you all week, but then noticed the missing devotionals and wanted to know if there is anything I can do or pray for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
With deep gratitude,
Terri
Aloha dearest friend,
Since you began this series I have wanted to tell you how timely it was. This past week there was a storm in my home. I know that you once told me to flee, but I could not get out with my mother. But I stood there watching the storm as if from a distance and the peace that passes understanding was in my soul. I was truly hiding in the rock. I have been told to end this marriage but have asked God to show me. I am still waiting, but I have seen a change of my husband’s heart. Though I know not to be fooled by “hooks”. The point was I knew I was and have been hiding in the rock. I wanted to thank-you all week, but then noticed the missing devotionals and wanted to know if there is anything I can do or pray for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
With deep gratitude,
Terri