Daniel 9:16-19

Pray for our Nation. Forgive us Father for the choices we have made in our lives that go against Your word. Help us to gauge our Christianity on the love that we show to others and the way that we care for the poor and hurting remembering the mercy that You have given to us. Help us to be examples of You in our society.

We must live in peace with others as long as it is within our power to do. We need to accomplish this in a world that in most ways is removed from God’s values. Not the wealthy and few but the needs of the many should determine the distribution of  our resources, not for our power and might, but for Your glory alone and our support should reflect this.

Titans 3:1-2

Paul had already instructed the Cretans regarding submission and obedience to the authorities in their communities. Titus was to remind them of their duty to be good citizens, a virtue which the Cretans notoriously lacked. Here it refers to civil leaders and institutions. Disobedience permeated the Cretans’ lifestyle, both in the church and in government. Titus must advise them to get along with civil authorities and to live peacefully with their neighbors. This type of life would reflect positively on the Christian faith and thus glorify God.

James said that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Daniel’s prayer seems to be a case in point. Not long after Daniel prayed, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the temple. Was there a connection between Daniel’s prayer, Cyrus’s decree, and Jeremiah’s prophecies? Gabriel indicates that there was.

Daniel 9:16-19

¹⁶ “O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us. ¹⁷ Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. ¹⁸ O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. ¹⁹ O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”