GOD IS FAITHFUL

 

17 Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine of Your sanctuary, which is desolate.

 

     Daniel is now in the final moments of his prayer.  He asks the Lord five things in this verse.  First, he addresses the Lord as our God.  True intercessors that make a different can.  Next, he asks the Lord to hear the prayer of his servant.  Daniel viewed himself first as a servant of God.  Thirdly, answer my supplication which is a form of prayer but considered as kneeling down and bending down in which someone makes a humble petition or an entreaty God.   So we now see in what position Daniel is praying.  With tears in his eyes, kneeling before the Lord, he cries out to God.  Fourthly, Lord for your sake.  Remember Daniel told the Lord that his people had become a curse, byword and an object of scorn.  Lastly, cause your face to shine on your sanctuary which is desolate.  Daniel says, “Lord let your glory, power and presence once again be lifted up and shine forth in the place which once held your sanctuary.  Lord, look, with favor, love and grace at your city which held your temple.  True intercession wants the Lord’s glory, presence and essence to fill the place where they are.  This is true revival. 

 

O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.

 

     Daniel talks about six things in this verse.  First, he again addresses the Lord as my God.  Lord you are the one I serve and pray too.  You are the object of my love and prayer.  Secondly, incline your ear and hear.  Lord I know that your ear is not so deaf you cannot hear.  Please you must hear, this is urgent, and we cannot go through this again.  Thirdly, open your eyes.  Daniel reminds the all seeing one that they are desolate.  Fourthly, this city is called by your name.  Jerusalem has been identified as the capital of the Jewish homeland.  Jerusalem is Zion.  Daniel fifthly, makes it clear that these prayers and supplications are not being made because of their righteous acts.  Lastly, he states he is looking for the great mercy of God. 

 

19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

 

     This is the most powerful section of the prayer.  Daniel asks, pleads and beseeches the Lord.  O Lord hear.  Open your ears.  You must hear what I am saying.  I am desperate.  Secondly, Lord forgive.  Lord we deserve all we get.  Remember your promise Lord.  We confess our sins, faults and failures Lord.  Thirdly Lord listen.  Please hear my cry, hearken unto my prayer.  We are hurting, in pain, broken, despised, destroyed.  Listen Lord.  Fourthly, God act.  Words are hollow.  Action is what we need.  No more promises, predictions or prophecies.  We need action.    Daniel fifthly, God do not delay for your own sake.  God everything depends on you.  You name, glory fame and reputation.  My God, for your city, your people who are called by your name.  So powerful, deep, touching and emotional.  Each phrase deepened with a burden.  Each word, powerfully impacted by Daniels heart cry.  God we need you.  Please God.  Hear this cry.  See what is happening.  Things cannot stay the same.  We have learned our lesson.  Now restore, forgive, reconcile, heal and bring mercy.