Daniel's Prayer

Last night was the Night of Prayer for IVCF Iloilo and we had it here in IVHome. Ate Mizpah shared the Word and our text was Daniel 9. She made us read the passage and list down what we learned about prayer from God and Daniel. And here are some of the things we learned:

It is good to know the Scriptures when you pray. It's like doing your homework. Know what the Lord's promises are so you can claim them. How can you claim what you do not know you're entitled to? Know what He said so you can converse with God regarding these things. Daniel knew that Israel's desolation was supposed to be only 70years, and yet it was already way past the deadline. So Daniel implored God to remember them.

When he prayed, Daniel appealed to the character of God. This, I liked a lot. God cannot disown himself. It is the one thing that He cannot do. Daniel did not present his righteousess as the ace to get the Lord to listen to him, neither did he use Israel's pityful state to blackmail God into answering; rather, he counted on God doing 'what God does best' because that's just how and who He is. I like what is written in 2 Timothy 2:11-13... "This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us. If we are faithless, he will remain faithful for he cannot disown himself." And so the Lord restored Israel and made sure that their desolation will end because He is who He is.

When we pray, an answer is given. And it is God who gives understanding and insight to the answers He gives. Cool noh? We do not pray in vain. We are sure the God we are praying to hears and listens to what we say, and he answers.

God restrains himself and allows us to take part in His work here on earth by praying. Isn't this such a great privilege? Although God can carry on a one-man show, He chooses not to. The God who is perfect and able to do anything allows us to have a part in the goings-on of the universe. It's not that He needs us to tell him what to do or not to, but rather he allows us to put in our two-cents worth of thoughts, desires, and requests.

It is our responsibility to pray for our country and our people. Need I explain this? I am guilty of forgetting to pray for the Philippines. Imagine what could happen if we all prayed for God to turn the Philippines around and heal our land?

Praying is our privilege. Praying is our responsibility. It was a blessing to attend the NOP last night and pray. Lord, continue to teach us to pray. In Your Name, Amen.