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All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
Even though Daniel never read these words in his lifetime, he believed in the power of the Word.
“Oh! That you studied your Bibles more! Oh! That we all did! How we could plead the promises! How often we should prevail with God when we could hold him to his word, and say, ‘Fulfill this word unto thy servant, whereon thou hast caused me to hope.’ Oh! It is grand praying when our mouth is full of God’s word, for there is no word that can prevail with him like his own.”
Charles Spurgeon
Studying the Word led to understanding. Understanding led to the transforming of Daniel’s mind. And a mind transformed by the Holy Spirit is a mind that enters diligently into prayer.
Daniel read Jeremiah. He understood the prophecy. He felt conviction in his heart and this led him to prayer. It wasn’t a prayer for himself, but for the people who fell under the judgment of God. Even though it seems simple, it carries profound weight. Many today will not take the time to open their Bibles, let alone converse with God.
What would this look like today?
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:1-4 ESV
The challenge is simple. How does this lead you to pray? We are living in the last days. We witness scoffers all around us. We may even be these people. So, I will ask it again… how does this lead you to pray? How can we follow the example of Daniel and dive into prayer?
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:11-12 ESV