Preparing to Pray

I am preparing to preach in a few weeks on Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9 and am amazed by it. No wonder it was answered AS he was still praying (Daniel 9:20-21). Wouldn't we love that? I mean, God can still act in the same way he did with Daniel, though I don't know what I'd do if an angel came in response to my prayers. Honestly, I don't think I pray specifically and as humbly as Daniel to warrant an angel coming.

Regardless, here are two insights from Daniel in his preparation for prayer:
- Daniel prayed informed prayers. Daniel searched out Scripture (Dan. 9:2) so as to know the time the Lord appointed. Do we? I feel we so often will go into a situation - pray for a church, leaders, unreached people group, etc. - and expect to have impact with little knowledge and vague "God bless them" or "God, heal that person." We need to know what we're praying about and seek God's will so we are praying in accords with it into a situation. Need to know God's will? Search Scripture - see how God acted in similar situations or seek out the truth of the promises he proclaims.
- Daniel entered seriously - he fasted as well as prayed (Dan. 9:3). When's the last time you cared to receive an answer that you actually fasted? I have to say this personally resonates with me in that this past summer I was finally at the place of longing for a husband that I spent time fasting for him - for some other things as well, but definitely for my future husband. As I look back I simply am shocked at how quickly God answered that time of fasting and prayer. If you are really craving an answer, do you crave that answer more than food? Do you crave God's presence more than food? I don't know how or why, but I know that when we get serious about a prayer to the point of being willing to give up food this stirs God.

I hope these provide blessing and encouragement as we journey deeper with the Lord and learn to pray in line with God's will.