I pray!
Prayer is power and our link to God. Let us not forget that! The enemy would love for us to loose our power and prayer life. We must to exercise our right and command to pray. What do we do when we need something from someone? We call! We ask! Prayer is our direct line and access to communication with God. Therefore, pray!
Daniel 9
21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.
22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.
23 At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:
Daniel was speaking to God on behalf of his people. They needed God desperately, for they had sinned against Him and so were suffering great consequences.
If we only need God mildly, then we won’t seek Him greatly! We must get to the point of urgency and necessity. It’s vital! He must not be a second or third option, but a first. He wants us to get to the point where we make Him our all (all in all).
The people had strayed so far away from their God and His life-giving commands. God promises us curses for disobedience and blessings for obedience. Often we start off right but then quickly stray away. We think, ok, He helped us but now we got it from here, and so we continue back to living life our way. And so they did and so they were in big trouble.
Then Daniel came along on their behalf to intercede and plead.. Thank God for the interveners and intercessors. The few that fear God and can change everything - because of willingness, heartfelt and full of sincerity prayers. We need more who are willing to pray. We all need to pray.
Daniel was asking God to hear and to open His eyes, and to look on their desolations and what have become of them. This was God's very own people, who were called by His name. Daniel reminded Him of His previous deliverance of the Israelites/Egyptian slaves! He was asking Him to do this for His own sake and for His face to shine upon His sanctuary which was desolate. Not for or because of our their righteousness and justice but because they had fallen short big time. But because of His great mercy and loving-kindness.
I think God is ok with us reminding Him of His promises and who we are to Him (His) but it also reminds us of our great need for Him. We can’t do it on our own and succeed. Never have, never will. We are defenses and helpless alone. You see the sanctuary was empty because of their own doing. It’s ONLY when we come to the end of ourselves and often when we’ve made such a mess of things beyond repair, that we will allow Him to step into our story and fully take the reins. It’s when we realize just how desperate, desolate and empty we really are, that we will reach up so that He can reach in.
Daniel knew. He knew how bad it was and how far they had strayed. He knew. He knew God knew but that’s what prayer does. It talks to God. Not only about the problem but that confession is key. Key to honesty about where you are and how you got there, so that you can begin to open up to God and let Him in. He already knows but unless you acknowledge, you stay in and bound to a lie. He already knows but unless you confess, you can’t truly commune honestly with Him.
YOU HAVE THE POWER to intercede on others' behalf and to pray for them. Daniel did and because of him and his earnest and sincere prayer, he received not only an answer and a blessing, but he also gained understanding and knowledge of what was going on. He was reminded of how much he was loved no matter how dark it was, even if because of the sins of others or himself. Listen, those around you can not only influence you and impact you, but impact what’s going on around you. They can create storms and sometimes you are just in the midst of them. Remember Jonah? He ran in the opposite direction from God; His instruction and command! And because of it a storm occurred and put many in jeopardy and danger. It wasn’t until they threw him overboard, that the storm did reside!
Listen, there are many points to this message but the one that I want to point out is that sometimes it’s not you but what’s around you. It can get on the inside of you. You must get committed like Daniel to get alone with God and pray. To get serious about prayer. To realize the power of prayer and that God moves on behalf of bold prayers and sincere humble prayers! We should never stop praying and are actually instructed to pray without ceasing. Prayer is not only to be a part of our everyday lives but to be a position and stance; a lifestyle and a form of worship - but also a constant!
Rejoice always, PRAY without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 15:16-17
Don’t wait for a special or harsh occasion to pray, let every occasion be an opportunity to pray.
Not only are we to pray but to rejoice in God, and in circumstances, not for them. To give thanks because thanksgiving is due and God is good, not because times are. And to pray without ceasing because it becomes a form of worship. Even when we lift our hearts with our hands or just say and speak the name of Jesus. It’s a verbal prayer and it’s a heart prayer. We need to take time to get alone in prayer. Of course, we can’t stay in our closets all day but we go out and in. When we go out to face the world, we’re equipped in prayer and we continue to pray.
Daniel was known for this. He was the man who was falsely accused and the only accusation or fault that his enemies could bring against him, was that he prayed to His God. He went into his house and prayed 3x a day and he didn’t ever stop! He was thrown into the lion's den for it but God shut their mouths and shut the men up! Not only did God save and rescue Daniel and show Himself mightily but moved him up in position, not for self, but to serve and help and lead the people; His People. They were told to honor Daniels God. That’s what God can do for you and through your prayer life. If He did it for him, He can do it for us. We are His.
Daniel was faithful to pray. Daniel was also known for fasting and he was faithful to fast and pray, and so to seek God Whom all wisdom comes through. He knew that prayer and intercession were the only way to God and the only way to change the outward circumstances and inward man. He was a mighty man of prayer who didn’t back down from praying! Praying is making a stance!!!
WHILE HE WAS SPEAKING TO GOD IN PRAYER, AND CONFESSING HIS OWN SIN AND THE SIN OF THE PEOPLE, (we all sin and fall short of the glory of God because we are not God but His and because we are just men, we must confess our need for Him- we can’t just talk about others sin without acknowledging our own and expect change!) AND PRESENTING HIS SUPPLICATION BEFORE THE LORD HIS GOD FOR GODS HOLY HILL, YES (WHILE) HE WAS STILL SPEAKING IN PRAYER, (emphasized twice!) Gabriel the angel appeared!!!
While he, Daniel, was still speaking to the Lord in prayer and presenting His request an answer came. He made a point to say that twice that this happened while he was still speaking to God in prayer. I think it’s important for us to know that while we speak He is already moving, we might not see it yet but it is promoting God. God is promoting His angels and warriors on our behalf! And while he was still speaking to God, SUDDENLY AND SWIFTLY, the man Gabriel, (God's messenger and angel) flew SWIFTLY and came near to David and touched him about the time of the evening sacrifice.
What are we offering up to Him in prayer? Our hearts? Our souls? Our sincere request? Our acknowledgment of our sin and confession? Our most earnest and greatest and sincerest need for Him? David was asking God to hear and to heed, to look down and to forgive; to act quickly and not delay! Have you ever had such urgency and knew that If something didn’t happen quickly and if God didn’t intervene right away, you knew how bad it could be? Many are in need of a miracle RIGHT NOW. We must come to the end of ourselves to see. God hears us when we cry sincerely but our sins cut us off from that, that is why we must pray AND CONFESS.
God wasn’t surprised by BUT HE WAS MOVED BY Daniels's PRAYER AND sincerity! Daniel was praying and moved with a sense of urgency. We must be too. He was asking God not to delay and while still in prayer, God sent Gabriel, and the angel came. God is able to send us messengers, angels, answers, and miracles but we must pray and not delay! It’s not His messengers we seek but His power. He holds the power, we just allow Him to speak to and through us. His heart to ours, our hearts to His, and to His people. We must be earnest and sincere and when we’re moved with urgency, so is He. Sometimes it feels like it takes forever but it comes in an instant when it does.
We need God's hand but His face and we must seek.
Like the words of this song: God I need You now. Let this be our humble but bold prayer.
“...Well, everybody's got a story to tell
And everybody's got a wound to be healed
I want to believe there's beauty here
'Cause oh I get so tired of holding on
I can't let go I can't move on
I want to believe there's meaning here
… How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God I need you now.
… Standing on a road I didn't plan
Wondering how I got to where I am
I'm trying to hear that still small voice
I'm trying to hear above the noise
… How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this"?
How many times have you given me the strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God, I need you now”
LET US, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
God not only invites us in but we are told to come and to come BOLDLY (and with urgency!) to the throne of Grace. His grace is sufficient for the state that we are in and it’s His grace that enables us to stand.
So do we need Him now? Are we desperate enough to humbly bow?
We need Him as a nation, in our homes and marriages and Children's lives, in our schools and in our friendships, and individually in our hearts of hearts. Let’s seek God with a capital G. He’s not a small God but He is God and He is still able to work miracles. He is an exceedingly abundantly God, not a God of halfway! Though all seems dead and all hope seems lost, that’s usually right when He steps in to revive and restore. Sometimes we have to get down to nothing to get desperate enough. And when we are down to nothing, He’s up to something, we can guarantee. Sometimes it gets worst before it gets better but He is no doubt on the move and working it all out for our good if we love Him and are walking accordingly. He knows how to line things out, even when we can’t see it. He’s working behind the scenes. He’s way maker and miracle worker.
So again, while Daniel was still speaking, God moved on Behalf of His prayer. So we must pray and we must not quit just because it feels like delay or that it feels as if it falls on deaf ears. Make sure your heart is right and in the right place sincere. We believe God for it and that is why we pray. He hears, He will heed and He look downs on our needs. Persistence… Patience is key.
He is coming if you are sincere. He is the same God as for Daniel, for you and me. He never loses power or falls off of His throne, and what He did then He can do now.
“You are the God of all power and it is Your will that my life is healed.”
Lyrics from “Healing is here.”
And the angel instructed Daniel and made him to understand. He talked to Daniel and told him that he had come forth to give him skill, wisdom and understanding. In other words, God didn’t fix it all right away but He give Daniel the insight and discernment to know what to do, and to understand His plan and will. It wasn’t going to happen overnight but surely. The angel eventually strengthened Daniel where he was weak. God doesn’t want us weak and useless but strong and powerful by the infusion and in dwelling and dependence of His Spirit - and prayer will bring that about. Too many are trying to do it alone and looking for love, answers and power in all the wrong places.
Confession: God, I look to You! And, I need You now!
The angel also told Daniel that AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS PRAYER, the word went forth! God heard Daniel when he begin to speak. Although an answer might not come quickly, God will speak eventually and suddenly. The angel also felt it important to let him know that He was greatly beloved! So are we! With no love, so we have no power. We are loved by God almighty and greatly beloved. So Be loved and be powerful. Know that you are loved and know that God is with you, for you, and wants to help you.
Daniel was shown vision and to understand it and so God upheld him and so He can show and uphold you.
One more song that I’d like to share. Hope it helps and hope you’ll continue in prayer. Be loved! Be Held!
“Take Courage
Slow down, take time
Breath in He said
He'd reveal what's to come
The thoughts in His mind
Always higher than mine
He'll reveal all to come
Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He's in the waiting
He's in the waiting
Hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He's never failing
He's never failing
Sing praise my soul
Find strength in joy
Let His Words lead you on
Do not forget
His great faithfulness
He'll finish all He's begun”
We can pray while we wait and we can sing while we pray. Our song is a prayer and our weapon is a melody.
“God, I come before You and humbly bow. I am confident in You and what You can do. I confess my sin of doubt and doing things my way, and I confess my great need for You. It’s blocked me from blessing and from You. God, I can’t do it alone. I need You now. I need wisdom. I need guidance. I need assurance. I need assistance. Show me what to do and where to go from here. Help my loved ones and help this great nation. The enemy has come in rampant trying to destroy homes, lives and the church as a whole. That’s what he comes to do; kill steal and destroy but You come to give life and life more abundantly! It’s not Your will for us to live half powerful or in half truths. Hearts are deceived and only You can change hearts and open blinded eyes. God we need You now, hear our prayer, and bring Your healing power; come down and save! In Jesus Holy and precious and powerful Name, we ask It all. Amen.”
