When we think of Daniel, prayer often comes to mind. Whether at home, in the company of lions, or thanking God for discerning dreams, Daniel stands out as a model of someone who really prayed.

Daniel prays in the verses we’re looking at today. This isn’t your average “go to God with your burdens” prayer, though. It is prayer by a man who has lived his whole life serving God, in a place where no one cares about God. It is prayer by a man who knows why his people are captives but also wants it to be different. In light of these things, Daniel realizes he needs to pray again.

Daniel’s Realization
In verses 1 and 2, Daniel tells us he was reading Jeremiah’s prophecy that the Jews would return to Jerusalem after 70 years; some simple math tells Daniel that the 70 years is almost up. Because Israel broke its covenant with God, three generations of them have spent their lives in service to the Babylonians. It is almost time now for God to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, which is the deepest desire of the Israelites.

But what can Daniel do in light of this realization? It seems Daniel does the thing that needs to be done; he prays.

Daniel’s Confession
This is a very honest confession. Daniel clearly humbles himself by not eating and by putting on very uncomfortable clothes (usually made of goat’s hair) and pouring ashes over his head (v. 3). Daniel confesses two things: the greatness of God and the sinfulness of God’s people. “O Lord, the great and awesome God,” is his opening statement (v. 4). Six more times, from verses 7-18, he lets God know he wants him to be central to his prayer and the request he is making.

Daniel then confesses the terrible way Israel has sinned against God. He holds nothing back in the acceptance of the sins committed by his people. He lays their sin before God with numerous references to what they have done wrong.

We have, he says: sinned (vv. 5, 8, 11, 15, 16); done wrong (vv. 5, 16); been wicked (vv. 5, 15); rebelled (vv. 5, 9); turned away (vv. 5, 11); and not listened to the prophets and God (vv. 6, 10, 11, 14).

Daniel speaks corporately in this confession. There’s no getting around it: both God and his people know their sin, and Daniel explicitly acknowledges that the people, as a community, have been wrong.

We look at Daniel’s realization and confession and must ask ourselves if we are in a similar situation regarding sin and disobedience. Perhaps not, but we need to look at the Scriptures with an eye toward discerning our faithfulness to the Lord. If we find ourselves lacking, confession and repentance are essential to restoration.

In spite of the Israelites’ situation, Daniel knows there is hope because of God’s promise to restore Jerusalem. Based on this promise, Daniel boldly asks God to do something about it.

Daniel’s Petition
Daniel is not just bold, but audacious. He has just confessed all the wickedness of his people and now he asks God for mercy. Look at his words:

• Hear and look (v. 17).

• “Give ear . . . and hear” and “open your eyes and see” (v. 18).

• Listen! Forgive! Hear! Act! Do not delay! (v. 19).

Daniel is expressing his deep desire to see God act for the people. His petition, though, isn’t just for the people, but also for Jerusalem. The people are mentioned in verse 19, but from verses 17-19 Daniel petitions God for the “sanctuary” once and “city” twice (also “holy hill” in v. 20). The people are special, but there is something about Jerusalem that makes his people want to see it rebuilt and God to want to rebuild it.

This petition is based on who God is and not what his people have done in repentance. Daniel puts the focus on God as the center of their lives. “For your sake” (vv. 17, 19), “because of your great mercy” (v. 18), “because your city and your people bear your Name” (v. 19) all point to the overarching theme of this prayer: putting God back in the center of the life and faith of his people.

As we look at Daniel’s prayer, we can’t forget that God is the center of the Christian life. When we put ourselves, our hopes, or our nation at the center, we will sin. But when we keep his glory, his mercy, and his good at the center of the Christian community, we are on the road he desires for us, the road that achieves his will. Let’s make this our prayer.

* All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.