MANY TIMES, what looks like an open battle isn't an open one—after all, life is much more than you think—and this is why you need to pray.
The Narrative
WHEN NEBUCHADNEZZAR came against Judah, he took the wisest, strongest and most influential people as prisoners of war.
Daniel and his three friends were among them.
He would have an unending supply of capable people— cripple the conquered nation and make them helpless.
Nebuchadnezzar was after the soul of the nation.
But Daniel stood for the Lord, and God prospered him.
ONE DAY, he saw in the scriptures that Jerusalem will be desolate for seventy years and will be restored. (Daniel 9:2)
Daniel was deeply troubled by the prophecy. He turned to God.
We have sinned and wronged You. We have acted wickedly in our rebellion, going so far as to disregard Your commandments and regulations.
O Lord, You, always do what is right. It is Your due, but we deserve nothing this day but public and open shame. (Daniel 9:1-7)
He took ownership of their wrongdoing and submitted it to the Will God.
Daniel was saying, "God take the wheel."
Prayer is not a convenient device for imposing our will upon God or bending his will to ours, but the prescribed way of subordinating our will to his – John Stott.
WITH PRAYER and fasting, he began the process of restoration.
Lend an ear, my God, and hear this prayer. Open Your eyes and see our deserted streets and witness the devastation across the city that bears Your name. We are crying to You and asking for mercy, not because we are righteous and deserve it. No, we bring these petitions to you because we know of Your great mercy. (Daniel 9:18)
Daniel took the sin of his nation upon himself. He knew that calamity would not leave until they returned to God.
If there's something we must do for our nation, it's to ask God for mercy—and in every way, we have failed Him that he will be gracious to us.
God said, "If My people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
God intends to heal our land, and He is looking for people to stand in the gap. (Ezekiel 22:30)
Each time you intercede, you touch His heart.
If there is no urgency in life, something is wrong.
MANY PEOPLE will say that they have been praying, but they are yet to see a change—that's true, but you cannot stop now.
Prayer will allow you to gain insight into the future and see with the eye of God.
When he saw the future, Daniel prayed more. He never stopped praying while he waited for answers.
And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him.
I would have been here sooner; however, for the past 21 days, Persia's spirit prince opposed me and prevented my coming to you. Then Michael, one of the chief princes of heaven, came to my aid because I alone was busy dealing with Persia's kings. (Daniel 10:13)
You must understand that you're in contention for the soul of your nation—and whenever you're out of options, prayer should be the best recourse.
God owns the heavens, and he has given the earth to you. (Psalm 115:16)
When Adam fell, humanity ceded its authority to Satan. But the great news is that you got it back in Christ—and as many as received Him, he gave them the power to become the sons of God to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12)
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
IF THERE'S no sense of urgency in life, something is wrong.
You must understand that the outbreak of God does not begin until you pray.
Your destiny is tied to God—now that you know, it's time to pray.