Day 5: Sin and Shame— e Deadly Duo

Second, with the acknowledgment of God’s judgment, Daniel had a purpose. A spiritual purpose. He prayed for the very life of his nation through fasting and prayer. ird, Daniel understood prayer was not a means to change God’s mind or to get him to do something he never intended. Prayer helps us align our thoughts and desires with God and is a most e ective way to drown out all the other voices to hear his more clearly. e interactive nature of this book allows you, the reader, to contemplate the same themes as Daniel did, through fasting, prayer, scripture focus, and your own honest personal response. In response to Daniel’s prayer, God sent one angel with the answer and another to see that it got through.

In the words of Psalm 20:5, “May the Lord grant all your requests.”

Lauren E. Myers

DAY 1

Praying According to Scripture

I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures . . . So, I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. (Daniel 9:1–3)

For any of us to develop a sound basis for our faith or engage in the discipline of fasting and prayer, we need to know what the Word of God says. Jesus told Satan food was not the most important means to support life. e most pressing need is the Word of God (Matthew 4:4). Be aware the enemy can easily let the focus of your fast be about foods and recipes. is can lead to a battle of “dos” and “don’ts” and take away from spending time in God’s presence.

Daniel’s heartfelt prayer came from an understanding of the words he read from the prophet Jeremiah. Yes, there seemed to be an endless exile because of Israel’s disobedience. However, in the middle of it all, there was also the ever loving and merciful God who daily worked for the good of his people.