“Prayer and Confession” (Ready to Worship S15E6)

This season on Ready to Worship, we are studying prayer. In past studies, we noticed prayer as it connects to watching, fasting, preaching, repenting, seeking, and singing. In this study, we will examine how prayer connects to confession. I realize that repenting and confessing are closely connected. However, I believe there is room for studying them separately.

 

Who do you think of when you think of prayer? Probably, one of the names near the top of your list would be Daniel. After all, he stands out as a man of prayer. When Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that he couldn’t remember and began killing his wise men for not being able to reveal it, Daniel and his three friends saved the day, as well as their own necks, by asking the answer from the God who reveals secrets (Dan. 2). Later, Daniel’s life was again threatened. This time, it was threatened because of prayer (Dan. 6). Wanting to trap Daniel, Daniel’s enemies convinced the king to sign a decree that prohibited prayer for thirty days. Although they were fine with taking a month off from prayer, they knew that Daniel would not be. They must have known that Daniel would not take a single day off. As you know, Daniel didn’t disappoint. He prayed as he had always done. We read, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (Dan. 6:10). Daniel’s enemies now had what they wanted. The wheels were in motion to throw Daniel to the lions. However, their seemingly foolproof plan failed miserably when God shut the mouths of the lions. The God that Daniel served continually and prayerfully delivered him. Daniel prayed not only when prayer would save his life (Dan. 2), but also when prayer would cost his life (Dan. 6). In the ninth chapter of the book that bears Daniel’s name and that tells his story, we see the connection between prayer and confession. We read, “Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God” (Dan. 9:20; cf. Neh. 1:6). First, Daniel was praying and confessing his own sins. It is hard for us to imagine Daniel having sins that needed confession. After all, he was a man who was greatly beloved of his God (Dan. 10:11). Furthermore, his enemies had to draft a new law to have grounds to accuse him because they could find no other fault in him (Dan. 6:4). Even though others may not have been able to see sins in Daniel’s life, Daniel humbly acknowledged them. Second, Daniel prayed and confessed the sins of his people. Daniel knew that the nation had sinned against God. He knew that their sins were why the nation had been carried away. The humility of Daniel was a key reason why Daniel’s prayer was answered. We read, “Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words” (Dan. 10:12).

 

As we get Ready to Worship this week, we need to approach it with prayer and confession (Jam. 5:16). We need to confess our own sins and those of our nation (abortion, sexual immorality, materialism, etc.). If we will humble ourselves, God will hear us and receive our worship.