In my previous article I made the case for corporate and public prayers of confession. Below I’ll use a passage from the Old Testament book of Daniel as a kind of model we can use.
Before asking what we can learn and imitate from Daniel’s prayer: a word of caution, because I can hear Hermeneutical Harry insisting. ‘You can’t simply take a prayer like Daniel 9 and cut and paste it into your coming Sunday morning service. We are not a theocracy. Where’s Jesus?’
There’s great value in Daniel’s prayer as a guide to corporate prayer.
Ignoring the fact that we’re happy to use Psalm 51, virtually verbatim, Harry has a point. He isn’t wrong. But let’s not die by a dozen caveats. My point is that we should see the great value of Daniel’s prayer as a guide to corporate prayer for God’s people. So, what can we learn from it?
Biblically Informed
First up, it was the scriptures that got Daniel fired up. He and his fellow Jews had spent 68 years exiled in Babylon. The faithful old prophet was simply reading and reflecting on Jeremiah’s prophecy. For in Jeremiah 25, we learn that God’s judgment on Israel would last 70 years. “This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years” (also see Jeremiah 29:10-14).
God’s promises are fuel for confident prayer.
Time was almost up! This biblical truth stirred Daniel’s heart. But instead of throwing a party for the Hebrews in exile, he prays. For God’s promises and sure word aren’t a reason for inactivity and passivity. They’re fuel for confident prayer. It’s a simple dynamic: from the Bible to prayer. The Puritans said it like this: ‘When you pray, show God his own word, for he is tender towards his own handwriting.’
A Corporate Prayer of Confession
“This day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far…We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you” (Daniel 9:7-8).
Now, it’s often the “little” words in scripture that are so instructive. According to my count of the pronouns, there are around 30 clear references to the corporate solidarity of God’s people in Daniel’s prayer:
- “We” 13 times
- “Us” five times
- “Our” 13 times.
As we count all the times Daniel includes himself as a part of the whole, we should call to mind his spiritual calibre. Daniel was a spiritual giant. The prophet Ezekiel extols his righteousness and godliness, likening him to Job and Noah. He’s also found in Hebrews’ hall of fame: “who shut the mouths of lions” (Hebrews 11:33).
Daniel identifies with the people of God, praying on their behalf.
Daniel, conceivably, could have distanced himself from the nation. He’d never been a Baal worshipper. He hadn’t been corrupted by pagan Babylon. Daniel was always faithful and true in discharging his prophetic ministry. He never had an affair with the church secretary. Nor did he embezzle any funds. His record was impeccable. Yet he identifies with the nation, taking the lead and praying on behalf of the nation.
Sin Is Laid Bare
Throughout Daniel’s prayer, sin is variously described as: wrongdoing, wickedness, rebellion, unfaithfulness, disobedience, transgression, iniquities, and the refusal to repent. The fact that there is such a catalogue of words indicates the grave seriousness of their condition—and our own.
God Is at the Centre
Daniel’s prayer is also full of worship. It begins like many of the Psalms: “Lord, the great and awesome God” (Daniel 9:4). The prophet notes who God is and what he has done. He remembers God’s great acts and his covenant promises.
Daniel’s biggest concern is for the glory of God.
Daniel’s biggest concern is for the glory of God. Thus, he concludes his prayer with God, “Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name” (Daniel 9:19).
Grace Fuels Fervent Prayer
To what and whom does the prophet appeal? To the character and promises of his God, the covenant keeping God. “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him” (Daniel 9:4). “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him” (Daniel 9:9).
This isn’t grovelling. This is a gospel prayer. Forgiveness is not by grovelling. It is by grace!
Prayers Must Be Earnest
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes” (Daniel 9:3). There’s nothing perfunctory or formulaic about Daniel’s prayer. It’s red hot, fervent. It pours forth from his heart. But he does so on behalf of the nation, together with the people of Israel.
Some Final Thoughts
Do we have nothing to confess?
Are we keeping in step with the Spirit? Do we walk humbly before God?
Are we loving God with all our being? Do we love others as we love ourselves? Do we obey the many imperatives in the New Testament? Are we keeping in step with the Spirit? Do we walk humbly before the Lord our God and our fellow man? Are we being salt and light? Do we desire and devote ourselves to personal holiness? Aren’t we ever worldly? Are our people renowned for good works and evangelistic fervour? Really? Do we really have nothing to confess?
