Sunday: Fasting and Prayer, Once Again
Read Daniel 10:1-3. What do we again find Daniel doing?
Daniel does not spell out the reasons for his extended mourning period. But such a fervent intercession is most likely motivated by the situation of the Jews, who have just returned from Babylon to Palestine.
Read Ezra 4:1-5. What challenges are the Jews facing upon their return?
Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com
We know from Ezra 4:1-5 that at this time the Jews are facing strong opposition as they attempt to rebuild the temple. The Samaritans send false reports to the Persian court, inciting the king to stop the reconstruction work. In the face of such crises, for three weeks Daniel pleads with God to influence Cyrus to allow the work to continue.
At this point, Daniel is probably close to ninety years of age. He does not think about himself but about his people and the challenges that they face. And he persists in prayer for three full weeks before receiving any answer from God. During this time, the prophet follows a very modest diet, abstaining from choice food and even ointment. He is totally unconcerned about his comfort and appearance, but he is deeply concerned about the welfare of his fellow Jews in Jerusalem a thousand miles away.
As we look into Daniel’s prayer life, we learn some valuable lessons. First, we should persist in prayer, even when our petitions are not answered immediately. Second, we should devote time to pray for others. There is something special about intercessory prayers. Remember that “the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends” (Job 42:10, NKJV). Third, prayer prompts God to do something concrete and real. So let us pray always, all kinds of prayers. In the face of unbearable trials, big problems, and overwhelming challenges, let us take our burdens to God in prayer (Eph. 6:18).
| Read Daniel 10:12. What does this tell us about prayer as an objective experience that moves God to do something, rather than it being just a subjective experience that makes us feel good about God? |
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In the 1800s a mathematician of some note made a study of the effectiveness of prayer. He did some calculations on the congregation sizes in England and conclude that the most prayed-for group of people was the royal family. And considering all the trouble and dysfunctionality of the royal family at the time, the mathematician considered prayer as totally ineffective.
On the other hand, at church, I am continually assailed with stories of how folk have prayed and found lost keys, and car-parking spaces, and so on.
When we really think about prayer, I wonder if either of those kinds of prayers is really what prayer is about, nor indeed how prayer works.
Here is a question that we may like to consider: When we pray for our church, what are we praying for? In the recent church fracas that showed up our disunity, were we praying for the rest of the church to think like us?
Intercessory prayer for others must be inclusive of us. And further, the transaction is not complete when we have said, "Amen!" it requires action by us.
The request was not just about what words to say!
Daniel 9 is the greatest chapter in the book of Daniel and one of the greatest chapters of the entire bible. If one were to choose the ten greatest chapters of the bible on the subject of prayer and fasting, this chapter would be included on the list. If one were to learn from another on the life of Prayer and Fasting, Daniel would be the ideal example.
Prayer and fasting has been a regular and disciplined life of Daniel and as a result of that he knows his God. In Daniel chapter 1, we learn of Daniel’s fast because he doesn’t want to eat the King’s delicacies which are offered to idols.
Maybe if we used different words to describe how and about what and in which of His functions that we are communicating with the LORD it would help us understand and focus and talk meaningfully.
I like to talk to Jesus as my friend about what happened in my day.
I ask the Holy Spirit to help me understand the truth as I study the Word of God.
I thank the Almighty Father for His care and protection.
We are told that Daniel fasted for three weeks and it is explained how he did it. Does it imply that he was also praying the whole time? I am puzzled when I hear someone prayed for an extended period of time for a specific issue, are they just repeating themselves like some say their their rosary? After Daniel had said his pray in Daniel 9 what was there left to say?
I look forward to others sharing their thoughts and opinions.
A reply for your second question: is it a repeat? I think of this type of prayer as a prayerful frame of mind. When situations have nearly crushed me, I can not help but think about it. Appetite can be affected whether fasting or not. After the initial cry to God for forgiveness, faith, mercy,etc. the situation does not go away, therefore the stomach wrenching pall of whatever it is stabs and grips intermittently. It is then that I can turn into my frame of mind and meet it with a grab of my own. 'O Lord, help us'...or 'have mercy on (him,her,them)'. I would like to think that I would have a conversation where I remind the Lord of what He did for this one or that one, but often the dire circumstances leave only the two of us...'Only us , Lord'...Then I go back to the performance of everyday life...meanwhile my minds' frame includes thoughts like, I know You can take care of this, and I look forward to seeing just HOW You're going to do it. This can go on until there is peace or resolution. Only in retrospect can I say, Wow! THAT was how You did it. I NEVER would have thought of THAT!
Priscilla, yes your explanation makes sense. Often after an conversation with the LORD he brings a text to my mind for comfort and information. I then memorize that text and repeat it to myself to keep His Words in my heart.
Maurice, the author of the lesson under Sunday would imply that Daniel was somehow praying for his people Isreal (children of Judah) who has returned could you kindly shed some light on that for me.
A the time that event occurred Daniel would have been a very old man and Cyrus would have given permission for the Jews to return to Canaan. The situation is mildly speculative, but given the circumstances, quite possible.
If God was listening to Daniel from his first day of prayer, why would He wait 3 weeks to give an answer to Daniel? If God always listens to our prayers, why doesn't He answer right away always? Who is the part in prayer that needs help, God or us? Who knows the future and the heart of men? Why do we pray afterall? Are we able to manipulate God? Prayer must always have wishes?
Let's take a look at the dictionary "a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship; invocation, intercession, devotion; an earnest hope or wish."
Above all, prayer is the way we communicate with God! Without communication there is no relationship! Thus, our prayers are in the essence of our relationship with our Father, through it we can learn more and more about who He is, in order to learn more about who we truly are (self-perception)!
One last question, is it possible that Daniel's desire to pray for 3 weeks was also motivated by God Himself?
JC, the LORD operates in His time. Often if He answered our requests immediately we might assign the result otherwise but if we have to wait we understand that the result can not be from any other source but a miracle from the LORD at the last minute.
Also by waiting we learn that the LORD knows when we really need the answer and that He is not like the genie in Aladdin's lamp who jumps to his wishes, prayer is not like saying Abracadabra and it happens.
I was puzzled by the statement in the lesson on Sunday, #3 - “prayer prompts God to do something concrete and real”. Does God need prompting? My belief of God is that He is eagerly waiting to do what is needed for us. He doesn’t need to be prompted. He answers our prayers when it’s best and how it’s best for us. He will not force anything on us, but when we ask Him and truly want the best answer, not the answer we think we need, He is ready and waiting. I hope I am just misunderstanding what the writer of the lesson meant.
I look at it this way. There are some circumstances where God cannot intervene where he is not wanted. He is waiting for the invitation (prompt) to do something.
God moves in mysterious ways. So Holy Ghost, move in my heart today.
In the Bible from Genesis to Revelation we came across more than two hundred prayers. Prayer for, and about everything. Prayers specific to people problems, situations and needs. I am convinced that no one understands how prayer works; the whys/whys not, hows, the nows, the later. In prayer, words coming out of ones’ mouth might not be the intent of the heart. Whether for good or evil. Jesus, teach us how to pray were the disciples plea.
Romans 8:26-28. We, humans don’t know what to pray for. The best praying sister or brother does not know how to pray. This is heavy and loaded with information.
Have we come to a place of spiritual maturity that we started agreeing with God on everything, even the things that doesn’t make sense to us? Do we see through spiritual eyes?
We were wondering about the fact that Daniel was mourning for three weeks (Dan 10:2)and asking why didn't the LORD answer straight away and I believe we have found part of the answer.
In Dan 10:13 we hear that the king of Persia held Gabriel up for 21 days - the exact same time!
1. So when we expect an immediate answer we could be being selfish - the designated angel could be busy helping someone who needs it much more.
2. Daniel was mourning for his people who were having trouble re-building the walls of Jerusalem and he still needed more information on his visions. Which was more important? The reason Gabriel didn't come straight away like he did the previous time was because he was in fact answering Daniel's first issue - building the walls. So sometimes when we think the LORD is taking too long to answer our prayers he is in fact setting the scene to be able to resolve our issue.
First of all let me just say, the Lord’s timing is always perfect!
Second let me add this, we have inspired counsel from one of the founders of this church that says corporate Prayer should not last more than two minutes. I believe there’s a good reason for this and if you think about it I believe you can understand those reasons...Royce
First let me agree with you that God is always ready to reach humanity. He has given free will to all, we choose to put him before us or behind. The love he has is prompted by our prayers and true heart pouring into his hands by faith. Intercessory prayers are so fulfilling when answered. 2 samuel 1:18 Hanna is happy to share her story after God answering. Sometimes we dare God by sharing and boasting how he answers our prayers when it should be making us more strong in the lord. Glory should be to God.