Daniel 9:3-19
So Daniel gets this great revelation about the restoration of Israel, even a specific time. So what does he do with this revelation?
He immediately begins to intercede on behalf of Israel before God.
He didn’t preach on it. He prayed about it.
But intercession is not just a simple prayer (although it can be). Intercession is standing in the place of a person or a group of people and asking God for things from that place.
Some believe that intercession is a specific gift, as if some are called to intercede while others are not. You, like me, have probably heard the term “prayer warriors” from a young person if you grew up in the institutional church. But the Bible never speaks of such a thing. In every listing of spiritual gifts, we never get one for prayer or intercession. Why? Because intercession and prayer are the place of the whole Body.
Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, says “when you pray” and “when you fast.” No “if’s” there. Some people are more effective in their prayers because they’re more comitted and disciplined about it. People who say, “I’m just not good at prayer” or feel inadequate in prayer don’t do it very often. I know because I’ve been one of them. I didn’t feel like prayer was “my gift” and just never really prayed. But as I began to commit myself more to prayer and fasting, I realized it was a gift to me … and the whole Body.
Think on it. What is part of Jesus’ position right now before the Father? He stands, as the only true High Priest, to make intercession for His people. If that same Christ is in you, how is intercession not part of your call?
Despite teaching to the contrary, it is. And Daniel took the revelation about Israel’s restoration and began to intercede. Let’s look at what he said before God:
First, Daniel exalted God for what He had done and His very being.
Second, Daniel admitted the sin of the whole nation, confessed the sin of the nation before God as if it were his own. Some might say that, “wasn’t Daniel without error and without fault”? Absolutely. It takes a righteous and holy vessel to stand before God and intercede for sin, which is why principle number 4 was before number 7. Didn’t it always take a lamb without spot to be the sacrifice? The prayers of a righteous man avail much.
Third, Daniel admits the righteous consequence for their sin (from the words of Moses).
Fourth, Daniel calls upon the love and mercy of God to restore Israel to glorify Himself.
Daniel begs God on behalf of others, to restore and act.
As a result of Daniel’s intercession, the angel Gabriel came and gave him even more revelation on things to come. The last three chapters of Daniel are full of great revelation and specific vision.
I don’t want people to come away with only the idea that we are to be individual intercessors only, but I believe that God desires a PEOPLE who collectively intercede before Him, a Body of Christ that intercedes as Christ does for the Kingdom of God and the revelation of the New Jerusalem. All creation groans and waits for the sons of God to be revealed (that’s us!). Do we groan and wait for it?
Thoughts?
Peace.
I remember the prayer warrior designation in my home church growing up as well. I felt as if I prayed too much I was taking some poor senior citizen’s job from them.
If only we joined them, and truly anticipated the difference He makes.