olutoyin

Daniel`s essential prayer was prayer of intercession for mercy, forgiveness and restoration. He has a heart for the people and wanted God to be merciful and to save the people of Israel his own people. Verse 19 says `O Lord, Listen! O Lord, Forgive! O Lord, Hear and Act! For your sake O My God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear Your name. ``For His honor to show His power and mercy to all. Daniel plead for mercy and forgiveness. God sent Gabriel to tell Daniel that His vision were to give him understanding and insight. The angel told him what they must do to receive God`s mercy. Daniel was highly favour by God for His righteousness and faithfulness. His request was granted as God honors his intercession for his people, God returned His people to the promise land

Daniel took upon himself the sins of the nation because of the love of his people, he is a royalty in Isreal, he belongs to the ruling party. He owned up to the sins of the nation, it is his nation too, he was interceding on his people's behalf. There is always someone to stand in the gap,God make provision for that all the time, it was Daniel to do it then so God prepared him though he didn't sin. Daniel was not sinless like Jesus, Jesus offered himself up for our sins. He bore the punishment for what we deserved. God made provision for us too, so Jesus did the final sacrifice and said it was finished on the cross. Jesus is God in the flesh.

Daniel prays in complete humility. He prepares himself by fasting, he dressed in sack cloth, and with ashes. Israel sinned against God, this is why God allowed the Assyrians to conquer the north, and the Babylonians take the south. In captivity, they did not repent. but God as usual is faithful and convenant keeping, He keeps to His promise to return the Israelites to their land after 70 years of punishment. Daniel is coming to God to intercede for all Israel, he takes this humble stance in his prayer. He confesses to the sins of Israel, Jesus Christ did the like for the world too. When we take it upon ourselves to intercede for others, we must be sure that we are in a right relationship with God. We must have our own houses in order, first. We can not presume that by praying for others that we will make things right between us and the Lord. We need to have the right standing with our God so that we don't put others into trouble while interceding for them. Fasting is also essential, in filling of the Holy Spirit.

Daniel read in the scriptures, where according to the Word of God to Jeremiah, the 70 years of exile were at an end. He knew the time has come just like the 400years in Egypt and deliverance happened with the Israelites, so he grabbed the opportunity. What trait on Daniel's part brings this encouragement to pass? His faith in God and belief in what God had spoken to the prophets before this time. Daniel was a man of prayer and fasting. a devout follower of God, showed in his life and his reading and knowledge of the scriptures of God's written Word. He stood by God until the end and God was with him.

It is difficult 'cos people are afraid. They know they can't do the bad things they are used to again, their old friends will be judgemental, their life will turn around, fear of unknown. Human beings do not want to change, we actually resist change. God will help us. If you pray this prayer of surrender, the result is wonderful, you have that peace that passes human understanding. the result is actually the opposite of all you go through if you do not pray the prayer. I sincerely think a person can't be a genine disciple without praying this kind of prayer.

This is so encouraging, but the devil is also out there trying to make a fake of all the good things that God has for His children. satan is also aware of God's involvement in the prenatal development. So as children of God we should really be overwhelmed 'cos on our knees we can now receive the original package not the counterfeit. To the young woman carrying the child, you knoe the will of God for yourself and the baby in you so you pray through and for the dad to be the same. God is faithful and true to His word, He said He will never leave or forsake us. You just keep on claiming all the promises for you and your baby.

David was a valued person to God, no wonder our Lord Jesus Lion of the tribe of Judah, David's lineage. David too loved God in and out and very transparent. I am a child of God, so I am valued. God does not joke my my issues, I am His apple eye. I know Jesus loves me unconditionally. I love Him too. I am not an ordinary child of God I am a special child. It is like in every area of my life, He is always there for me. Thank you Jesus for loving me so dearly in this special way. By your grace I will get to heaven at the marriage supper where all saints will gather at the last assembly. See you all there too, amen.

People sometimes want to flee from God because they think God is too holy to behold the wrong they have done. I think God is intimidating me, I feel like this sometimes. I know God is all knowing and He sees all but it doesn't make me not to do wrong things sometimes. It is a limitation that I have and I am praying for God to help me to change. At the point of doing bad things I may think God is not watching me but right at the back of my mind, I am aware that He is all knowing.