Christian Writers Circle

Holy Supplications

by Brenda D. Flowers

“…Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name;  for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” (Daniel 9: 17-19, NKJV)

 This fall, I have been reading and studying the book of Daniel alongside other women who attend Bible Study Fellowship. On Wednesday, I serve by co-teaching a class of sixteen preschoolers (mostly two year olds).

  Our most recent lesson was entitled “Daniel’s Prayer” based upon Daniel 9. In verses 3-13, one can read the longest prayer in the Old Testament, the prayer of faithful Daniel.

In this prayer, Daniel humbly confesses his and his nation’s sins and he acknowledges and praises his God, the God of the Bible.

What a blessing it has been to get to share God’s Word with these dear children. Here are the truths, I had the privilege of teaching the preschoolers recently from Daniel 9:

“God’s Attribute:  Accessible (God is always ready to listen to us.)”

“Main Truth: God hears His people pray.”

 As I studied Daniel’s prayer and the key concepts to be taught to the preschoolers, I questioned myself, “ When I pray, do I reverently and humbly approach God, giving Him the respect and honor He deserves? Do I acknowledge His character? Do I trust Him with my whole heart, remembering how He truly is with me and recalling the many times He has helped me?

After praising and acknowledging the sovereignty of God, do I present my supplications, my requests, my cares with the belief that my Heavenly Father who sent Jesus to take all my sins and griefs, loves me, hears me and will answer me in the way that is best?

Or do I start my prayer time, with my supplications, my prayer requests, like a selfish immature child crying to get what she wants even though what she wants may not be good or really needed?”

  By digging deep into the book of Daniel from the Old Testament of the Bible, I have been intrigued by his amazing life of devotion to God and how God blessed him through many trials. God answered Daniel’s holy supplications, in powerful ways.

I am thankful Daniel trusted and obeyed God. I am thankful for His holy supplications and the wise model he set for how to pray.

Daniel obediently wrote down the words God told him to write and God’s Word speaks to us today.

When we trust God wholly with our supplications and when we persevere through trials with God’s help as Daniel did, we can trust we too will receive our blessed hope of eternal life in Glory. 

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for the revelation and understanding gained through reading Daniel’s holy supplications. Please teach us, Lord, to pray as Daniel prayed with the assurance You hear and answer our prayers. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen