Daniel, author of a book of the Bible bearing his name, prayed a prayer for his nation which can be found in chapter 9. Israel was in captivity because of the many sins they committed, including idolatry and child sacrifice. They were near the end of the foretold time that the captivity was to end and Daniel, a great man of God prayed for his nation. I was thinking that prayer applies today. Below is a modern version of the prayer found in Daniel 9.
“O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants who spoke in your name to our leaders, our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
“Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame because of our unfaithfulness to you. O LORD, we and our leaders are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his Word. All America has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in your Word, are being poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing upon us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done in America. All this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The LORD did not hesitate to bring disaster upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.
“Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from us. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made America and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your us. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the people that bear your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your people bear your Name.”
And God said,”If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Amen.
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