PRAYER FOR REVIVAL

DANIEL 9:1-20


      Daniel the prophet did not allow the devil to steal away the privilege of prayer (Dan. 6:10, 10:12). A. T. Robertson said, “Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees.” Endnote Daniel prayed for a revival and the restoration of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6).


      O. Hallesby remarked, “It thus becomes evident that God has voluntarily made Himself dependent also upon our prayer.” Endnote


  I. Pray after reading the Bible (9:1-2)


Acts 6:4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.


      The study of Bible prophecy turned Daniel into a prayer warrior (Rev. 22:20). Daniel saw in the Word the time for the end of the seventy-year captivity (2 Chr. 36:21; Jer. 25:11-12, 27:7, 29:10; Dan. 9:2; Zech. 7:5) and sought God for its fulfillment.


      George Muller would not voice a petition without a “word from God” (Scripture) to back that petition. Endnote


 II. Pray with all kinds of prayer (9:3-4a, 13b, 17a, 20)


      The author of the Kneeling Christian said, “‘When we stand with Christ in glory, looking o’er life’s finished story,’ the most amazing feature of that life as it is looked back upon will be its prayerlessness.” He wrote, “If no one on earth prayed for the salvation of sinners more fervently or more frequently than I do, how many of them would be converted to God through prayer?” Endnote


Eph. 6:18 [GW]. Pray in the Spirit in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God's people.


      A. Seeking (Ps. 27:8; Jer. 29:13)


      B. Praying (Ps. 65:2)


      C. Asking (Dan. 9:3-17-18-20-23)


      D. Fasting (Jl. 1:14)


      E. Interceding (Job 42:10)


      F. Confessing (Ps. 32:5)


      G. Entreating (1 Sam. 13:12)


      H. Requesting (Dan. 9:20)


III. Pray according to who God is (9:4b, 7a, 9a, 14a)


      T. W. Hunt noted, “Any address to a superior must be based on the character and position of that person.” Endnote


Neh. 1:5 [GW]. I said, "LORD God of heaven, great and awe-inspiring God, you faithfully keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments.


      A. Awesome (Gen. 28:17)


      B. Trustworthy(2 Chr. 6:14)


      C. Kind (Ps. 100:5)


      D. Righteous (Dan. 9:7-16-18)


      E. Merciful (Ex. 34:6)


      F. Forgiving (Ps. 103:3)


 IV. Pray in repentance from sin (9:5-6, 7b-8, 9b-13, 14b, 16b)


      Charles Spurgeon said, “A prayer without penitence is a prayer without acceptance. If no tear has fallen upon it, it is withered. There must be confession of sin before God, or our prayer is faulty.” Endnote


      A. Sin (Ps. 51:4)


      B. Iniquity (Is. 53:5)


      C. Wickedness (Dan. 9:5-15)


      D. Rebellion (Dan. 9:5-9)


      E. Apostasy (Dan. 9:5-9)


      F. Disobedience (1 Sam. 28:18)


      G. Shame (Ezra 9:7)


      H. Unfaithfulness (Jos. 7:1)


      I. Transgression (1 Sam. 15:24)


      J. Evil (Dan. 9:12-13-14)


      K. Impenitence (Is. 55:7)


      L. Guilt (Ps. 51:9; Is. 1:18)


      M. Disgrace (Neh. 1:3; Jos 5:9)


  V. Pray a prayer that God will answer (9:15-16a, 17b-19)


      T. W. Hunt said, “Give God a reason to answer.” Endnote


      A. His name


      B. His nature


      C. His promises


      D. His people


      Keil said, “The prayer of Daniel goes forth in the earnest entreaty that the Lord would turn away His anger from the city Jerusalem and His holy mountain, and cause His face to shine on the desolation and on the city that was called by His name (Dan. 9:15-18).” Endnote


     Daniel’s prayer led to the revival when Ezra and Nehemiah went back to Jerusalem. J. Wilbur Chapman said, “Revivals are born in prayer.” Endnote


      The Haystack Prayer Meeting, a prayer meeting of students on the Williams College (Massachusetts) campus in 1806, sparked the North American Missions Movement. This spontaneous movement began when Samuel Mills and four friends returned to campus on a Saturday afternoon in August. Suddenly, a storm drove them to seek shelter in a haystack. In that prayer meeting the students determined to become the first American foreign missionaries. Adoniram Judson became America’s first foreign missionary through those students’ support.


NIV

 1. In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (Ezra 4:6; Est. 1:1; Dan. 9:1) (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom—

 2. in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel (Dan. 8:15-27, 9:2-22), understood (Dan. 1:17, 8:16, 9:2-22, 10:1-11-12-14, 12:8-10; 1 Kg. 3:9; Job 42:3; Ps. 119:130) from the Scriptures (Ezra 4:15; Dan. 9:2), according to the word (Neh. 8:9-12; Ps. 119:130-69; Dan. 9:2) of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation (Is. 52:9; Dan. 9:2) of Jerusalem would last seventy years (2 Chr. 36:21; Jer. 25:11-12, 27:7, 29:10; Dan. 9:2; Zech. 7:5).

 3. So I turned (Dan. 9:3, 10:15) to the Lord God and pleaded (1 Sam. 13:14; 1 Chr. 16:10-11; 2 Chr. 7:14; Ezra 8:21; Est. 4:8; Ps. 24:6, 27:4-8, 105:4; Jer. 29:13; Dan. 9:3; seek, desire, ask, request Endnote ) with him in prayer (Neh. 1:6-11; Ps. 65:2; Lam. 3:44; Is. 38:5; Dan. 9:3; Jon. 2:7; Hab. 3:1; prayer Endnote ) and petition (Jer. 38:26; Dan. 9:3-17-18-20-23; supplication [for favor] Endnote ), in fasting (Dt. 9:18; 1 Sam. 7:6; 2 Sam 12:21; 2 Chr. 20:3; Ezra 8:21; Neh. 9:1; Ps. 35:13; Dan. 9:3; Jl. 1:14, 2:12-15; Jon. 3:5), and in sackcloth (rough garment worn at a time of grief) and ashes (Neh. 9:1; Ps. 35:13; Is. 37:1-2; Dan. 9:3; Jl. 1:13; Jon. 3:5).

 4. I prayed (Gen. 20:17; Num. 21:7; 1 Sam. 1:27; 2 Kg. 4:33, 6:17; 2 Chr. 7:14; Ezra 10:1; Neh. 1:6; Job 42:10; Jer. 32:16; Dan. 9:4-20; Jon. 2:1, 4:2; pray, intercede, mediate Endnote ) to the LORD my God and confessed (Lev. 5:5; Ezra 10:1; Neh. 1:6, 9:2; Ps. 32:5; Prov. 28:13; Dan. 9:4-20; throw, cast, confess Endnote ): "O Lord, the great and awesome (Gen. 28:17; Neh. 1:5, 4:14, 9:32; Dt. 7:21, 10:17; 1 Chr. 16:25; Ps. 47:2, 96:4, 99:3, 139:14; Dan. 9:4; fear, stand in awe, reverence, terrify Endnote ) God, who keeps (Ex. 20:6; Dt. 6:25; Jos. 22:5; 1 Sam. 13:13; 1 Kg. 2:3, 3:14, 6:12, 8:61; 2 Kg. 17:13, 23:3; Neh. 1:9, 10:29; Ps. 119:60; Prov. 7:2, 19:16; Ecc. 12:13; Dan. 9:4) his covenant (Neh. 1:5, 9:32; Dt. 7:9; 2 Chr. 6:14; Ps. 106:45; Dan. 9:4; covenant, alliance of friendship, pledge Endnote ) of love (Ps. 86:15, 100:5; Dan. 9:4; Jl. 2:13; Jon. 4:2; goodness, kindness, mercies Endnote ) with all who love him (Dt. 10:12; Neh. 1:5; Dan. 9:4) and obey his commands (Neh. 1:7, 10:29; Dt. 7:11, 30:16; Jos. 22:5; 1 Kg. 2:3, 8:58; Dan. 9:4),

 5. we have sinned (Jos. 7:11-20; Neh. 1:6; Ps. 51:4, 119:11; Is. 64:5; Dan. 9:5-8-11-15; sin, go wrong, miss the goal or path Endnote ) and done wrong (2 Sam. 24:17; 1 Kg. 8:47; Dan. 9:5; commit iniquity Endnote ). We have been wicked (Neh. 9:33; Dan. 9:5-15, 11:32, 12:10; wicked Endnote ) and have rebelled (Num. 14:9; Neh. 9:26; Ezek. 2:3; Dan. 9:5-9; rebel, revolt Endnote ); we have turned away (Ps. 34:14; Dan. 9:5-9; turn aside, depart, apostatize Endnote ) from your commands and laws (1 Kg. 2:3; Neh. 1:7, 9:13-29; Dan. 9:5).

 6. We have not (Ex. 6:9; Dt. 28:45; Jos. 5:6; 1 Sam. 28:18; Ps. 106:25; Prov. 13:1; Dan. 9:6-14) listened (Gen. 3:17, 22:18; Dt. 13:18, 15:5; Jos. 5:6, 22:2; Jud. 2:20; 1 Sam. 15:20-24; Dan. 9:6-10-11-14; hear with attention, obey Endnote ) to your servants the prophets (Jer. 7:25, 25:4, 26:5, 29:19, 35:15, 44:4; 2 Kg. 9:7, 17:13-23, 21:10, 24:2; Ezra 9:11; Ezek. 38:17; Dan. 9:6-10; Amos 3:7; Zech. 1:6; Rev. 10:7, 11:18), who spoke in your name (Jer. 26:16) to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

 7. "Lord, you are righteous (Dan. 9:7-16-18; justice, righteousness Endnote ), but this day we are covered with shame (Ezra 9:7; Jer. 7:19; Dan. 9:7-8; shame Endnote )--the men of Judah and people of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered (Dt. 30:1-4; Jer. 8:3; Dan. 9:7) us because of our unfaithfulness (Jos. 7:1; Neh. 1:8; act unfaithfully, treacherously, transgress, trespass Endnote ) to you.

 8. O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame (Ezra 9:7; Jer. 7:19; Dan. 9:7-8) because we have sinned (Jos. 7:11-20; Neh. 1:6; Ps. 51:4, 119:11; Is. 64:5; Dan. 9:5-8-11-15) against you.

 9. The Lord our God is merciful (Ex. 34:6; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 130:4; Dan. 9:9-18; compassion [feeling] Endnote ) and forgiving (Ex. 34:9; 2 Chr. 7:14; Neh. 1:11; Ps. 51:3, 103:3, 130:9; Is. 55:7; Dan. 9:9; forgiveness, pardon Endnote ), even though we have rebelled (Neh. 9:26; Ezek. 2:3; Dan. 9:5-9) against him;

 10. we have not obeyed (Gen. 3:17, 22:18; Dt. 13:18, 15:5; Jos. 5:6, 22:2; Jud. 2:20; 1 Sam. 15:20-24; Dan. 9:6-10-11-14) the LORD our God or kept the laws (Ps. 78:10; Jer. 9:13; Dan. 9:10) he gave us through his servants the prophets (Jer. 7:25, 25:4, 26:5, 29:19, 35:15, 44:4; 2 Kg. 9:7, 17:13-23, 21:10, 24:2; Ezra 9:11; Ezek. 38:17; Dan. 9:6-10; Amos 3:7; Zech. 1:6; Rev. 10:7, 11:18).

 11. All Israel has transgressed (1 Sam. 15:24; pass over, cross boundary, overstep, transgress Endnote ) your law and turned away (Dan. 9:5-11), refusing to obey (Gen. 3:17, 22:18; Dt. 13:18, 15:5; Jos. 5:6, 22:2; Jud. 2:20; 1 Sam. 15:20-24; Dan. 9:6-10-11-14) you. "Therefore the curses (2 Chr. 34:24) and sworn judgments (Neh. 10:29) written (Dan. 9:11-13) in the Law of Moses, the servant of God (Mal. 4:4), have been poured out (2 Chr. 34:21) on us, because we have sinned (Jos. 7:11-20; Neh. 1:6; Ps. 51:4, 119:11; Is. 64:5; Dan. 9:5-8-11-15) against you.

 12. You have fulfilled (Gen. 17:7, 26:3) the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster (Jos. 23:15; 2 Kg. 22:16-20; 2 Chr. 7:22, 34:24; Dan. 9:12-13-14; bad, evil, unpleasant Endnote ). Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.

 13. Just as it is written (Dan. 9:11-13) in the Law of Moses, all this disaster (Jos. 23:15; 2 Kg. 22:16-20; 2 Chr. 7:22, 34:24; Dan. 9:12-13-14) has come upon us, yet we have not sought (Ex. 32:11; 1 Sam. 13:12; entreat the favor of Endnote ) the favor of the LORD our God by turning (Dt. 4:30, 30:2; 1 Sam. 7:3; 2 Chr. 6:26-38, 7:14, 36:13; Neh. 1:9; Ps. 23:3, 51:12, 80:3-7-14-19, 85:1-3-4-6-8, 126:1-4; Is. 55:7; Jer. 3:14-22; Jer. 4:1; Lam. 5:21; Ezek. 14:6, 18:30-32, 33:11; Dan. 9:13; Hos. 6:1; Jl. 2:12-13; Amos 4:10; Jon. 3:10; Mic. 7:19; Mal. 3:7, 4:6; return, turn back Endnote ) from our sins (Ps. 51:2-5-9, 103-10, 130:3; Is. 6:7, 53:5-6-11, 64:6-7-9; Dan. 9:13-16-24; iniquity; Endnote perversity, depravity, crookedness Endnote ) and giving attention to your truth (Ps. 51:6, 85:10; Is. 59:14; Dan. 9:13, 10:1-21, 11:2; firmness, faithfulness, truth, sureness Endnote ).

 14. The LORD did not hesitate (Ps. 127:1) to bring the disaster (Jos. 23:15; 2 Kg. 22:16-20; 2 Chr. 7:22, 34:24; Dan. 9:12-13-14) upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous (Ps. 116:5; just, lawful, righteous Endnote ) in everything he does; yet we have not (Ex. 6:9; Dt. 28:45; Jos. 5:6; 1 Sam. 28:18; Ps. 106:25; Prov. 13:1; Dan. 9:6-14) obeyed (Gen. 3:17, 22:18; Dt. 13:18, 15:5, 28:62; Jos. 5:6, 22:2; Jud. 2:20; 1 Sam. 12:15, 15:20-24; Ps. 81:11; Dan. 9:6-10-11-14) him.

 15. "Now, O Lord our God, who brought (Ex. 3:12; Jud. 2:12; Dan. 9:15) your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand (Ex. 32:11; Dt. 5:15, 26:8; Jos. 4:24; 1 Kg. 8:42; Neh. 1:10; Ps. 136:12; Is. 40:10; Jer. 32:21; Dan. 9:15) and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned (Jos. 7:11-20; Neh. 1:6; Ps. 51:4, 119:11; Is. 64:5; Dan. 9:5-8-11-15), we have done wrong (Neh. 9:33; Dan. 9:5-15, 11:32, 12:10).

 16. O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous (Dan. 9:7-16-18) acts, turn away your anger (Ex. 32:12; Jos. 7:26; 2 Chr. 30:8; Dan. 9:16; Jon. 3:9; heat, rage, indignation, burning anger, wrath Endnote ) and your wrath (Ps. 78:38; Is. 63:3, 66:15; Lam. 4:11; Dan. 9:16) from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill (Ps. 3:4, 15:1, 24:3, 99:9; Is. 56:7; Dan. 9:16-20, 11:45). Our sins (Ps. 51:5-9, 103:10; Is. 1:18; Dan. 9:16; sin, guilt–punishment of sin Endnote ) and the iniquities (Ps. 51:2-5-9, 103-10, 130:3; Is. 6:7, 53:5-6-11, 64:6-7-9; Dan. 9:13-16-24) of our fathers (Ex. 20:5, 34:7; Lev. 26:39-40; Num. 14:18; Dt. 5:9; Neh. 9:2; Ps. 109:14; Dan. 9:16) have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn (Gen. 30:23; Neh. 1:3, 2:17; Jos 5:9; 1 Sam. 17:26; Jer. 29:18; Dan. 9:16; Jl. 2:17; reproach, scorn, shame, disgrace Endnote ) to all those around us.

 17. "Now, our God, hear the prayers (Neh. 1:6; Ps. 4:1; Dan. 9:17; prayer, intercession Endnote ) and petitions (Jer. 38:26; Dan. 9:3-17-18-20-23) of your servant. For your sake (Dan. 9:17-19), O Lord, look with favor (Num. 6:25) on your desolate (Lev. 26:33; Dan. 9:17-18-26-27, 11:31) sanctuary (Dan. 9:17, 11:31).

 18. Give ear (Prov. 4:20; 2 Kg. 19:16), O God, and hear; open (Gen. 3:5-7; 2 Kg. 6:17; Dan. 9:18) your eyes and see the desolation (Lev. 26:33; Dan. 9:17-18-26-27, 11:31) of the city that bears your Name (Jer. 25:29; Dan. 9:18-19). We do not make requests (Jer. 38:26; Dan. 9:3-17-18-20-23) of you because we are righteous (Dan. 9:7-16-18), but because of your great mercy (Ex. 34:6; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 130:4; Dan. 9:9-18).

 19. O Lord, listen (2 Chr. 6:40, 7:15; Ps. 5:2, 17:1, 55:2, 61:1, 66:19, 86:6, 142:6; Dan. 9:19)! O Lord, forgive (Ex. 34:9; Num. 14:19-20; 1 Kg. 8:30; 2 Kg. 24:4; 2 Chr. 7:14; Neh. 1:11; Ps. 25:11, 51:3, 103:3, 130:9; Is. 55:7; Dan. 9:9-18; Amos 7:2)! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake (Dan. 9:17-19), O my God, do not delay (Ps. 40:17, 70:5; Dan. 9:19; Hab. 3:2), because your city and your people bear your Name (Jer. 25:29; Dan. 9:18-19)."

 20. While I was speaking and praying (Gen. 20:17; 1 Sam. 1:27; 2 Kg. 6:17; Ezra 10:1; Job 42:10; Jer. 32:16; Dan. 9:4-20), confessing my sin (Neh. 1:6, 9:2; Ezra 10:1; Ps. 32:5; Prov. 28:13; Dan. 9:4-20) and the sin of my people Israel and making my request (Jos. 11:20; Ez. 9:8; Dan. 9:20; supplication [for favor] Endnote ) to the LORD my God for his holy hill (Ps. 3:4, 15:1, 24:3, 99:9; Is. 56:7; Dan. 9:16-20, 11:45)--