Topical Bible: Intercessory Prayer: Daniel

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Intercessory prayer, the act of praying on behalf of others, is a significant theme throughout the Bible, and the prophet Daniel stands as a profound example of this spiritual practice. Daniel's life and prayers are recorded in the Book of Daniel, where his intercessory role is highlighted in several key passages.

Daniel's Character and Context

Daniel was a young Jewish noble taken into Babylonian captivity during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. Despite being in a foreign land, Daniel remained steadfast in his faith and devotion to God. His commitment to prayer and intercession is evident throughout his life, as he consistently sought God's guidance and intervention not only for himself but also for his people.

Intercession for Wisdom and Revelation

One of the earliest instances of Daniel's intercessory prayer is found in Daniel 2. When King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream that none of his wise men could interpret, Daniel sought the Lord in prayer. He gathered his companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and urged them to "seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery" (Daniel 2:18). God answered their prayers, revealing the dream and its interpretation to Daniel, which he then shared with the king. This act of intercession not only saved their lives but also demonstrated God's sovereignty and wisdom.

Intercession for the People of Israel

Daniel's most notable intercessory prayer is recorded in Daniel 9. As he studied the writings of the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel understood that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. Moved by this revelation, he turned to God in prayer and fasting, confessing the sins of Israel and pleading for God's mercy and restoration. His prayer is a model of humility and repentance, as he acknowledges the righteousness of God and the unfaithfulness of the people:

"We have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled; we have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances" (Daniel 9:5).

Daniel's intercession is marked by a deep sense of identification with his people, as he uses the pronoun "we" throughout his prayer, despite his personal righteousness. He appeals to God's covenant faithfulness and His great mercy, asking for the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple.

The Angelic Response

In response to Daniel's fervent intercession, the angel Gabriel is sent to provide insight and understanding. Gabriel informs Daniel that his prayer was heard from the moment he began to pray, and he delivers the prophecy of the seventy weeks, which outlines God's plan for Israel and the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 9:20-27).

Intercession in Spiritual Warfare

Daniel's intercessory role is further highlighted in Daniel 10, where he engages in a period of mourning and prayer for three weeks. During this time, he receives a vision of a heavenly being who reveals that his prayers were heard from the first day, but a spiritual battle delayed the response. This passage underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the power of persistent intercession.

Legacy of Intercessory Prayer

Daniel's life exemplifies the power and importance of intercessory prayer. His unwavering faith and dedication to seeking God's will on behalf of others serve as an enduring example for believers. Through his prayers, Daniel not only influenced the course of history but also demonstrated the profound impact of standing in the gap for others before the throne of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 9:3-19
And I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Costliness of Prayer
... Take Paul's intercessory prayers for the Ephesians and the Colossians ... as David, yet
at least three times a day as Daniel? ... and to sum up on it,"prayer, in all ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/xvi the costliness of prayer.htm

Introductory Notice to the Early Liturgies.
... A Latin translation of it is given in Renaudot's Collectio, [4070] which is reprinted
in Daniel's Codex Liturgicus It is from ... "The great Intercessory Prayer. ...
/.../various/early liturgies/introductory notice to the early.htm

Ninth Lesson. Pray the Lord of the Harvest;'
... Abraham and Moses, Joshua and Samuel and Daniel, and given ... this power has been given
us in prayer to provide in ... ourselves to this part of our intercessory work ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/ninth lesson pray the lord.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... on personal conduct, and that the one condition of having prayer answered
unconditionally ... is a reminiscence of the beatitude for the latter days in Daniel ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

The Deepest Need of the Church Today is not for any Material or ...
... "Yes," said Daniel, "you were ... sent me names of enquirers and converts, and these
I have daily taken to God in prayer.". ... That is the real intercessory missionary ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter xi the deepest need.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... the definitive article, and historically by the origin of the term in Daniel 7,
13 ... and his own eternal mode of existence; and in his intercessory prayer he asks ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

Early Christianity in Other Parts of These Islands. --Ninian in ...
... very long list"of those for whom intercessory prayers were ... so early that it contains
a prayer that the ... which we have mention, founded by Daniel, Asaph, David ...
/.../lecture iii early christianity in.htm

The Incarnation and Birth of Christ
... in the third chapter of the book of Daniel, where we ... labour, like Joshua; we must
have great intercessory faith, like ... Go home and seek him by earnest prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the incarnation and birth of.htm