Day 251

1 Chronicles 3:17-19a; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1; Daniel 6, 9.  “Praying Powerfully”

         People who knew Daniel knew that he was a man who prayed fervently.  He prayed three times each day and regularly gave thanks to God.  We are not let in on the details of what exactly he prayed for and about each time, that is with the exception of one instance in chapter nine.
         The situation on Daniel’s mind in chapter nine was the soon conclusion of the Israelites 70-year captivity.  Because of the prophetic words recorded by the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel knew his people would soon be returning home.  And what did it prompt Daniel to do?  “I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and fasting.  I wore sackcloth and sprinkled myself with ashes.  I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed…”  Within the next five paragraphs I counted over two dozen times Daniel uses the word “we,” “us” or “our.”  Daniel identified himself as part of an entire nation who needed to confess their sins to God.  Daniel looked inside first.  Daniel’s plea was answered (see 9:20-23).  How committed are you to pray, and how well do you do at it?

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?