BRBC Bible Notes
Week by week, we post notes based on the theme of the Sunday service, so that people can follow them in their own personal devotions, in prayer triplets, or in the church life groups.
BRBC Bible Study Series - Daniel - Bible Study # 8
Daniel 9: Daniel's Prayer
Main Passage Daniel 9:1-23
Purpose of the Study To learn from Daniel's prayer of confession, repentance, humility and dependence upon God. Exploring how God's Word fuels prayer, how genuine repentance opens the way for renewal and how God's people can pray for themselves, their church and their nation in times of spiritual need.
Opening Prayer “Lord, teach us to pray as Daniel prayed - with humility, faith and honesty. Open our hearts to Your Word and deepen our dependence upon You. Amen.”
1. Read the Passage Daniel 9:1-23 - Notice: What prompted Daniel to pray, how often Daniel refers to God, the way Daniel confesses sin and Daniel’s urgency and passion. The balance between God's holiness and God's mercy.
• What prompted Daniel to pray?
• What does Daniel teach us about approaching God?
• How does his prayer challenge your own prayers?
2. Context and Summary
Having studied the prophecy of Jeremiah, Daniel realises that the seventy years of exile are nearing completion (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10). Daniel does not respond by calculating dates or speculating about future events. Instead, he turns to God in prayer. Daniel fasts, mourns, confesses sin and pleads for God's mercy upon Jerusalem and God's people. God's promises are invitations to prayer rather than excuses for passivity. Daniel understands that although God has promised restoration, God's people must still seek Him with repentant hearts.
OT Connections
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 - Humility, prayer and healing.
• Jeremiah 29:10-14 - The promise of restoration.
• Nehemiah 1 - National confession and intercession.
• Ezra 9 - Repentance for the sins of God's people.
• Leviticus 26:40-42 - Confession leading to restoration.
• Psalm 51 - David's prayer of repentance.
NT Connections
• Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer.
• Luke 18:13-14 - The humble tax collector.
• James 5:16 - The power of confession and prayer.
• 1 John 1:9 - God's promise of forgiveness.
• Romans 8:26-27 - The Spirit helping us pray.
• Hebrews 4:14-16 - Approaching God's throne with confidence.
Questions
• Why does Daniel confess sins he did not personally commit?
• What can churches learn from Daniel's concern for God's reputation?
• How should God's promises shape our prayers?
3. Key Themes and Reflections
Scripture Fuels Prayer Daniel's prayer begins with God's Word. As he studies Jeremiah's prophecy, God's promises move him to seek God's face. Healthy prayer is not separated from Scripture but grows out of it. The more we know God's Word, the more we understand God's heart and purposes.
Confession Precedes Renewal Daniel identifies himself with God's people. Repeatedly he prays: "We have sinned." Rather than blame others, Daniel takes responsibility. In Scripture, seasons of spiritual renewal are often preceded by honest confession and repentance. John Chrysostom wrote: "Confession opens the door to God's mercy."
God's Mercy Is Our Hope Daniel does not appeal to Israel's goodness, but to God's character. "We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy." Daniel understands that God's people are saved not by merit but by grace. Tim Keller wrote: "The gospel is that we are saved by sheer grace."
Prayer Changes Things God's response comes swiftly. While Daniel is still praying, God sends Gabriel with assurance and revelation. Prayer is not a religious ritual but a genuine means by which God accomplishes His purposes.
Questions
• How does Scripture shape your prayers?
• What role does confession play in your spiritual life?
• What prevents us from praying more consistently?
4. A Word to the Church
• Are we known as a praying church?
• Do we pray with expectancy and faith?
• Are we burdened for God's glory in our community?
• Do we regularly pray for spiritual renewal, confess our shortcomings and seek God's help?
Challenge
Revival has always been preceded by prayer. Throughout church history, movements of renewal have begun when ordinary believers humbled themselves before God, confessed their sins and sought Him earnestly. We mustn’t merely discuss prayer but become people of prayer. The health of any church depends far more upon its prayer life than upon its programmes, resources, or activities.
Questions
• What would happen if BRBC prayed like Daniel?
• How can we encourage a stronger culture of prayer within our church and what obstacles prevent us?
5. Practical Action
• Set aside dedicated prayer time this week and pray Scripture back to God – for example the Psalms.
• Keep a list of prayers and answers to prayer.
• Pray specifically for BRBC's future ministry and witness.
Areas for Prayer
• Revival and spiritual awakening.
• Church unity and love. Local outreach and evangelism.
• Young people, families, church leaders and ministries.
• Local and national spiritual renewal.
Closing Scripture Meditation Daniel 9:18 "We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy."
Final Prayer “Merciful Father, thank You that You hear the prayers of Your people. Teach us to seek You with all our hearts, to confess our sins honestly and to trust completely in Your mercy. May Brighton Road Baptist Church be marked by prayer, repentance, faith and hope. Pour out Your Spirit upon us, upon Horsham and upon our nation for the glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
For a printable version of this, and previous editions, please click here.
| |
Suggestions to help us pray this week |
|
| |
Updates on what's going on in our church |
|
| |
Inspiration and food for thought |
|