Daniel 9:3

New International Version (NIV)

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

For meditation

In 1 Chronicles 12:32, we read of the men from the tribe of Issachar, “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” They understood the times because they studied the scriptures and gained insight. They sought God’s face and gained understanding. Therefore, they knew what to do. It helps to have such people in our lives. It is refreshing to be around God’s people who have soaked themselves in His word and have become wise in His ways; not in our human ways. We need such people to lift our families and nations before the throne of God in serious intercession; for the days are evil.

Daniel was a man who constantly lived before the LORD and sought understanding of his nation’s plight and destiny. Consequently, God gave him insight, visions, and dreams with understanding. His heart suffered for his people, and with the knowledge he gain from the LORD, he interceded for Israel. His example could help us rise in proper intercession for ourselves, family, neighborhoods, nations and world. It is interesting to note the flow of events in Daniel chapter nine, and how effective Daniel’s intercession was.

1. His intercession was timely, for he knew the times and circumstances of his day. “in the first year of …” (1)
2. His intercession was based on his personal understanding of scripture after years of study, meditation, and word-based prayer. “I Daniel understood from the Scriptures … “ (2)
3. His intercession flowed out of the burden he received from his understanding of the Holy Scriptures. “So, I turned to the Lord … (3).”
4. His intercessory prayer was scripture based and filled with confessions, petitions, and exaltation of God. “I prayed … (4-19)
5. His intercession received immediate response from heaven which, though resisted by satanic interference, was finally received. “While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, … “ (21)

I pray that we too will be burdened by the deplorable condition of the times we live in, our personal carnality, deterioration of family conditions, social deprivation, and spiritual apathy, and rise in serious word-based intercessory prayers as enabled and powered by the Holy Spirit. We need this more than anything else now.

So: May we get into the word of God for knowledge, understanding and wisdom to guide our walk with Jesus; and may we behold the Majesty and holiness of Christ in a manner that will transform the way we live and pray.

Shalom