THE PRAYER THAT confessed the sin of a nation

When there is a dark stain on our conscience, we have a choice: confess it or hide it.

God’s people were guilty and exiled in Babylon. Their home was destroyed and the temple reduced to rubble. They had rejected God without any remorse. Judgement had followed.

Daniel, an Israelite of rare integrity, was totally committed to the Lord despite the challenges of exiled life. He’d rather have been eaten by lions (literally) than stop praying to God. And he was deeply grieved by the state of God’s people.

Daniel understood the power of confessing sin to the Lord in prayer. Knowing the exile was coming to an end, he “turned to the Lord” to make sure no sin was left hidden in the nation.

Daniel prayed as a representative of God’s sinful people, despite his own integrity. “We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and rebelled. We have broken your laws.” And on he went, confessing the sins of the nation and reminding God of all His merciful promises.

Daniel’s prayer imitated what Jesus would do for us many centuries later. He identified himself with sinful people and sought God’s forgiveness as their representative.

Sin loses its power over us when it is confessed. Freedom and renewed hope are ours to claim, for we also have a Saviour who has sought forgiveness for us.