WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6
Daniel 9:15-19
1 Timothy 2:1-5

“… supplications … be
made for all men.”

DANIEL’S PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

Having made confession for the people’s sins, Daniel began to plead on their behalf. Throughout his prayer, never was there even a hint that God had at any time been unkind to His people or failed them in anyway. Let us follow Daniel’s line of argument as he presented his case before the Lord:

1. These are Thy people. Did not the Lord deliver Israel out of Egypt with a mighty hand so that all the world came to know the name of the Lord? (Dan 9:15).
2. Thy city and people are become a reproach (Dan 9:16). Because of God’s anger and fury (which we justly deserve), Jerusalem and the Jews had become hated and despised by all our neighbours. Therefore, O Lord, according to Thy righteousness let thine anger and fury be turned away.
3. Thy sanctuary is desolate (Dan 9:17). God’s house is broken down, in ruins. This cannot be a credit to Thy name. Now therefore cause Thy face to shine upon Thy own sanctuary.
4. For Thy great mercies’ sake, listen and behold! (Dan 9:18). Pity our downtrodden condition, and look at the state of Jerusalem. We deserve it all, but be merciful, O Lord!
5. For Thine own sake (Dan 9:19). Because Thy city and people are called by Thy name, for them to go on being a reproach will not be a credit to Thyself. Therefore, Lord, forgive!

Notice Daniel’s argument: it is the glory of God’s name! Daniel’s grief on account of his people’s suffering, and his zeal for the honour of God’s name gripped him with consuming passion. That was why he fasted in sackcloth and ashes. If God’s glory was dimmed and God’s name was tarnished, how could he go on living in comfort as though nothing had happened? If the spirit of Daniel should come over us, there would be a mighty Holy Spirit revival! How much we need to grieve over our own sins and the sins of our church members. How much we need to be jealous for the honour of God’s name!

THOUGHT: Am I concerned over sin? If not, why not?
PRAYER: O Lord, open my eyes to behold Thy holiness.