Links for today’s readings:
Read: Daniel 9 Listen: (5:22)
Read: Hebrews 7 Listen: (4:01
Scripture Focus: Daniel 9.1-3, 17-19
1 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom—2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
Reflection: Praying Like an Exile
By John Tillman
Daniel’s prayer-life helped him survive in exile. Let our spiritual disciplines follow Daniel’s model.
Daniel prayed inspired and informed by scripture. The truth of scripture inspired Daniel to confession, lament, and to requests for forgiveness and restoration. Daniel’s bold requests were based on biblical knowledge of God’s holiness, mercy, and power.
Let scripture drive your prayers. Immersing yourself in scripture informs you about God’s purposes and connects you to God’s heart. Pray with a boldness that is empowered and driven by God’s purposes and love.
Daniel prayed in moments of crisis. When the king’s dream could not be interpreted, he ordered all the “wise men,” including Daniel and his friends, killed. Daniel and his friends prayed urgently for a miraculous revelation of the dream. (Daniel 2.17-19)
Pray in and out of crises. Surveys tell us that even atheists pray in crisis. We don’t need to wait until crises occur to pray about them. Jesus told us we would have trouble in this world. Believe him. Pray about trouble before, during, and after it comes.
Daniel prayed scheduled prayers as a public practice. Daniel prayed three times daily at a window facing Jerusalem. These prayers were publicly observable but not performative and did not place demands on others. This regular spiritual practice marked Daniel as a follower of Yahweh, distinguishing him from the culture, yet remained a private expression of his faith that was observed by others, not enforced upon them.
Be public, but not performative, about your prayer, worship attendance, and other markers of faith. Don’t be in people’s face to intimidate or pressure them, but let your practices be observable, peaceful, and open.
Daniel prayed with prophetic, disruptive purpose. Praying towards Jerusalem implied prayers for the restoration of Israel and the Temple, and the prayer in today’s passage is an example of their content. (Daniel 9.15-18) Praying this way was a subversive, prophetic act. It became more subversive when Daniel continued this practice in defiance of the edict for all prayers to be directed toward the king. (Daniel 6.7-12)
Pray disruptive, unsatisfied prayers for change. Pray prophetically, pleading with God for wickedness to fall and righteousness to rise. Confess the sins of yourself, your leaders, and your country. This might make powerful people uncomfortable or wicked people wary. Don’t be intimidated into silence by leaders or their lions.
Build your spiritual life, like Daniel’s, on scripture and prayer and watch God answer.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to root out the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry and the Lord hears them and delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and will save those whose spirits are crushed.
Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver him out of them all.
He will keep safe all his bones; not one of them shall be broken. — Psalm 34.15-20
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more about To Assimilate or Not
We have both stories of bold resistance and quiet acceptance to reveal the complexity of life. There are rarely simple answers to our situations.
https://theparkforum.org/843-acres/to-assimilate-or-not
Read more about Resisting in Faith
Daniel lived undefiled, resisted an evil government, and influenced an empire through simple faith and regular practice of spiritual disciplines.
