BIBLE MEDITATION:
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. O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for Thine own sake, O my God: for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name. Daniel 9:17-19
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Daniel is saying, “O God, please forgive us. Remove the guilt.” He’s also praying for the restoration of glory. Notice his motivation: “for the Lord’s sake.”
Do you know what so many of us are praying for? For America’s sake, our denomination’s sake, our church’s sake, or even our family’s sake. That won’t get it done. But Daniel is praying for not only the removal of guilt but the restoration of glory (v. 18). When we get concerned for the glory of God, then we’re going to see our prayers answered. So many times we’re just simply trying to get out of difficulty. Do you pray for the glory of God?
Do you know what most of us want? We want revival so we can return to our own old, comfy ways, once God gets us out of the difficulty we’re in. Do you have a burning, yearning in your heart for the glory of God? Do you want to see God’s glory spread over this land? I want to see God do something once again that cannot be explained by the pundits and news anchors on TV.
ACTION POINT:
When we pray for God’s glory, we’ll see our prayers answered.
