O Lord, Listen and Act!
“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
When Daniel focused on the fact that the 70 years of captivity prophesied by Jeremiah were almost over, he was reminded of his people’s sins that had led to the captivity in the first place. He recognized the collective guilt of his people and the need for repentance. He cried out in one of the most powerful prayers of repentance in the Bible, and concluded with these pleas for God to respond quickly.
We can learn much by studying this and other prayers recorded in the Bible. Daniel was humble, respectful and repentant; yet he showed great faith in God’s promises and God’s mercy, which helped Daniel pray with assurance and boldness.
For more about Daniel, see the article “Daniel the Prophet.” For more about prayer, see “How to Pray” and the many helpful related articles.
