After Daniel read the Scripture God gave through Jeremiah, he prayed…

3So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. 4I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: Ah, Lord — the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands  —  5we have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from your commands and ordinances.  6We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, leaders, ancestors, and all the people of the land…17Therefore, our God, hear the prayer and the petitions of your servant. Make your face shine on your desolate sanctuary for the Lord’s sake. 18Listen closely, my God, and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city that bears your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before you based on our righteous acts, but based on your abundant compassion. 19Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! My God, for your own sake, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name.

Daniel 9:3-6; 17-19

Daniel saw God’s promise and drew closer to God

Daniel drew closer to God because of what he read. He has a humble expectation, not cocky entitlement towards God’s promises.

Not every time we read Scripture, we’ll be moved to fast in ashes and sackcloth. Well, actually, I’ve never been led to that level. What you do isn’t the main point.

The main point is to draw close to God so he draws close to you. Come with a humble expectation of God working in your life.

Daniel repented of sins he did not commit

The sins Israel committed to put them into exile were committed before Daniel was born. He was deported to a foreign, pagan country because of the sins of his forefathers.

Instead of sulking, he Heard & Followed God to be the best in the kingdom of Babylon. He Heard & Followed God to serve the kingdom of Babylon. He Heard & Followed God to show off the beauty of God in the middle of the kingdom of Babylon. He took God’s Words to Jeremiah to seek the welfare of the city to where he was being exiled seriously.

Now, he’s repenting of sins he didn’t commit.

Did you start the fire? No? Ok.

Can you pray like you did? Can you pray like the God of the Heavens can put out the fire through your repentance?

Daniel pled based on God’s Compassion

God does not act because he thinks we’re awesome. God acts because of his compassion. God acts because his Life makes life the best.

Humble expectation knows God acts because of his character, Kingdom and will. Humble expectation pleads for God to forgive and save because he has something to show the world around us. Humble expectation asks God to work based on his name, not ours.

Daniel didn’t know the Disciple’s Prayer, but yet he prayed it. Prayer isn’t us sitting on Santa Claus’ lap demanding him bring us presents based on our righteousness.

Prayer is pleading before our Abba King with humble expectation for him to move based on his character, Kingdom and will.

Prayer isn’t us sitting on Santa Claus’ lap demanding him bring us presents based on our righteousness…Prayer is pleading before our Abba King with humble expectation for him to move based on his character, Kingdom and will.

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How can you move your prayers to a mindset of humble expectation?