Many are familiar with the stories of Daniel in the lions’ den, Daniel and his friends in the fire, and even Daniel interpreting his dreams for Israel’s future but one of Daniel’s prayers keeps swimming around in my head. Maybe because it reminds me of the great disasters our nation has experienced in the last few years. Perhaps there is a link?

I’ve chosen phrases from Daniel’s prayer (found in Daniel 9:4 -19, NIV) to share Daniel’s anguish over the sins of his nation. He boldly says his nation sinned and rebelled against God. No sugar coating it or rationalizing it. Daniel realized that God promised destruction would occur if Israel turned her back on Him and the only way to ‘get back on track’ was to ask for God’s forgiveness and compassion and begin obeying God again.

Here is Daniel’s prayer: “I [Daniel] prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:

we have sinned and done wrong
We have been wicked and have rebelled
we have turned away from your commands and laws
We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land
we have sinned against you
we have rebelled against him
we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us

All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because
we have sinned against you

You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. . . . Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet

we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth

The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet
we have not obeyed him

Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day,
we have sinned
we have done wrong

O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem . . . Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O 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. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay. . .”

This prayer convicts me. It sounds too familiar to overlook as ancient history. The list of sins our nation has participated in is staggering. As of today, I plan to pray daily for our nation just as Daniel prayed for his nation. I believe that we, as God’s people, can seek God’s forgiveness and ask Him to grant compassion on our nation if we diligently pray for the United States and her leaders. Whether or not you voted for our president-elect, he needs our prayers. He needs God’s strength and wisdom to effectively make decisions regarding the economy, the war in Iraq, the lack of jobs, etc. The problems he will be facing are overwhelming. Daniel’s prayers made a difference and I believe ours will as well.

Will you join me as I follow in Daniel’s footsteps in praying for our country and her leaders?

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