Daniel 9:17

“Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.”

Context:The book of Daniel is set during the Babylonian exile when the Jewish people were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar. In Daniel 9, Daniel is studying the prophecies of Jeremiah and realizes that the 70 years of exile, as foretold by Jeremiah, are about to be completed. Daniel prays a fervent prayer of confession, repentance, and intercession on behalf of the Jewish people.

A plea for God’s attention:In this verse, Daniel acknowledges God as the receiver of his prayer. He implores God to pay attention to his supplications and to listen to his earnest plea. Daniel recognizes that God is the one who has the power to answer prayers and bring about change.

God’s face shining upon the sanctuary:Daniel asks God to cause His face to shine upon the desolate sanctuary. The sanctuary refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the Babylonians. The shining of God’s face represents His favour, blessing, and restoration. Daniel desires that God’s presence and glory return to the desolate sanctuary.

The Lord’s sake:Daniel appeals to God on the basis of His own character and reputation. He asks God to act for the sake of His own name and glory. Daniel recognizes that the restoration of the sanctuary and the favour of God upon His people would bring honour to God’s name and fulfil His promises.

• Confidence in God’s ability to hear and answer prayers:Daniel’s prayer demonstrates his unwavering faith in God’s ability to hear and respond to his supplications. As believers, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He is attentive to our prayers and able to act on our behalf.
• Recognition of God’s authority and sovereignty:Daniel acknowledges God as the ultimate authority and source of all blessings. He appeals to God’s power, acknowledging that only God has the ability to restore and bless His people.
• Seeking God’s favour for restoration:Daniel’s prayer focuses on the restoration of the desolate sanctuary. It teaches us the importance of seeking God’s favour for the restoration and renewal of our lives, communities, and places of worship. We can turn to God in prayer, asking Him to bring His presence and blessing to areas that have been broken and devastated.
• Praying for God’s glory:Daniel’s plea for restoration is rooted in a desire for God’s name to be honoured. Similarly, our prayers should ultimately be directed towards God’s glory. When we seek God’s intervention and blessing, our motivation should be to magnify His name and bring Him honour.

In conclusion, Daniel 9:17 illustrates Daniel’s fervent prayer for God’s attention, restoration, and favour upon the desolate sanctuary. It teaches us important lessons about prayer, faith, and seeking God’s glory in our lives.