“O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open Your eyes and see our despair. See how Your city—the city that bears Your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of Your mercy.”-Daniel 9:18
When was the last time you witnessed something that was unfair, wrong, unjust or broken, and it crushed your heart? When was the last time something made you sad in your soul, and that sadness led to action because you were compelled to fix it? For Daniel, he personally experienced the brokenness of the people around him. He perceived their sinfulness and vast lostness. Daniel was overcome and deeply disturbed by what had been revealed to him. But the sorrow that he felt didn’t leave him in a place of hopelessness. Rather, it led Daniel to action.
What kind of action? Daniel prayed. In Daniel 9:4-19, we read Daniel’s humble, honest, heartfelt prayer. The whole passage is certainly worth taking the time to read. In his prayer, Daniel acknowledged God’s greatness and awesomeness. He admitted his own sin and the sin of those around him. Ultimately, Daniel pleaded for God’s help, recognizing that what was needed was beyond anything in their own power to achieve. Let’s reread Daniel 9:18 which says, “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open Your eyes and see our despair. See how Your city—the city that bears Your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of Your mercy.” Daniel, being a godly man, did what was best: He prayed! He cried out to God Almighty to act, to assist, to show mercy, and to bring glory to Himself.
May Daniel's example inspire us to action too! Especially toward the action of humble, dependent, honest, and passionate prayer to God for counsel, for guidance, for grace, for people all around us…for everything. Might we pray often, crying out to God who alone can do all things! Is this not our call, Christian? Oswald Chambers said it well: “The real business of your life as a saved soul is intercessory prayer. Wherever God puts you in circumstances, pray immediately, pray that His Atonement may be realized in other lives as it has been in yours. Pray for your friends now; pray for those with whom you come in contact now.” The way God led the Apostle Paul to put it is this:“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them” (1 Timothy 2:1).
Is there pain all around us? Of course. Are our cities struggling in various ways? Indeed they are. Do problems abound everywhere? Yes, they do. So do we have any hope at all? Without a doubt, we do! For God is ever on His throne, righteously reigning (Psalm 103:19), and He hears us as we humbly call out to Him for His mercy in prayer (Psalm 116:1-2). Thus, let us pray as Daniel did long ago, going directly to our Great and Awesome God.
Cheer up, friends!
-Scott