Standing in the Gap (Part 4)

PART A 

PART B 

Praying Through the Bible #95

TEXT: Daniel 9:9-23

We are continuing our mini-series on the prayer that Daniel prayed for the nation of Israel as they were on the verge of being delivered from their time of exile. Daniel, who had always been a faithful prayer warrior, now in his old age, intercedes for his people. He didn’t have to. He wasn’t required to. But, I believe God called him to the task and he obeyed.

Right now, we are going to take a look at three things we must do as we seek to stand in the gap as intercessors.

1. We must pray with an understanding of who God is. In verse nine, Daniel prays: “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him…” Last week, we talked about how we ought to appeal to God’s mercy when we intercede for others. The reason why Daniel did this for the children of Israel is because he had an understanding of the nature of God.

2. We must pray with the determination to live righteously before God. Daniel sought to live out Godly principles in his life and we see this desire in his prayer. In verse 13 he prays, “As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.”

3. We must be ready to receive God’s answer to our prayer. In verses 21-23, Daniel writes: “whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.”

We may not receive the answer that we want when we pray, but we must be ready and willing to receive any answer that God provides. Just as He did with Daniel, God honors those who take it upon themselves to bring the needs of others before His throne. The devil will do all he can to discourage us and to cause us to grow weary in well doing. However, we have numerous promises from God that tell us that God hears and answers our prayers, and we can hold on to those promises as we stand in the gap.

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