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. You are the great I am, the
creator and sustainer of all things. We
are your covenant people. A showcase of
what redemption really looks like. My
question for you and is can we pray like Daniel and say, you are my God? I trust we can. True intercessors that makes a different
can. Next, he asks the Lord to hear the
prayer of his servant. Daniel viewed
himself first as a servant of God. He
may have been a Prime Minister in a world power but first and foremost he was
God’s man. He look at his position as an
opportunity to serve. We are his
servants to go and touch others in love.
Daniel was in this instance a servant of prayer. That is what intercessors are. Your role is to serve and to pray for
others. This is the highest calling and
service. It is so sad that so many do
not see this.
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. Daniel is telling the Lord that His name and
reputation has been tarnished and maligned.
Daniel is defending the Lord and reminding him of his agreement to the
Jewish nation. 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. Rebuild your temple. Let your people have a place to worship in
again. 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. Talk about 1975 in Red
Deer.
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. No one can answer and do what
you can. 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. Help us not to make the same mistake. Daniel is appealing to the Lord for an
answer. Thirdly, open your eyes. Daniel reminds the all seeing one that they
are desolate. As a nation, country and
people. They have nothing. They have been scattered among the nations. No identity, no homeland and no place as a
nation they have been scattered. That is
why Israel is so important to the Jewish people now. We are Canadians because we have a country,
land and identity. Fourthly, this city
is called by your name. Jerusalem has
been identified as the capital of the Jewish homeland. Jerusalem is Zion. It is where all that the Jewish people hold
dear and love is. Its identity is the
Lord. It is the city of peace and God. Right now it is desolate but Daniel prays it
will be restored shortly. Daniel fifthly,
makes it clear that these prayers and supplications are not being made because
of their righteous acts. Daniel knows
why they are where they are. He knows
why God has judged them. He knows that
man’s works are futile and like filthy rags.
We will never merit anything with God.
Eph 2:8-9 and talk about the folly of good works. Daniel makes it clear in this prayer that man
will never garner the favor of God by our works. Lastly, he states he is looking for the great
mercy of God. Daniel knew all about the
mercy of God. He saw it throughout his
long life and career. Mercy means we do
not get what we serve. God has the power
to pass judgment but he does not. He
pardons us. Jesus on the cross said,
“Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” Daniel is looking for the great merc ies of
God. We need that as well today. We deserve as individuals, families,
communities, provinces as a nation judgment but we need to be asking for mercy
and grace. That is why I am pleading
with you to pray during this window of opportunity. Talk about Mary Magdalene.
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. We need a miracle and an answer from
heaven. Secondly, Lord forgive. Lord we deserve all we get. We have suffered for 70 years. Remember your promise Lord. We confess our sins, faults and failures
Lord. Tears in his eyes and an ache in
his heart. Daniel cries out Lord
forgive. Thirdly Lord listen. Please hear my cry, hearken unto my
prayer. We are hurting, in pain, broken,
despised, destroyed. Listen Lord. This is real prayer folks. A man’s heart is broken here. Daniel is aching for an answer. Do you feel his heart cry? Fourthly, God act. Words are hollow. Action is what we need. No more promises, predictions or
prophecies. We need action. That is where we are folks. We need God now. Not tomorrow, not a year from now. Right now, this very moment God. Please act now. Move and answer. Daniel is deep into this. 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
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