Why does Daniel start praying after reading about the seventy years?

Daniel sees in the sacred writings that the desolation of Jerusalem was set for about seventy years. When he realizes that this time is almost finished, he does not sit back and wait. Instead, this pushes him to seek God more earnestly. He understands that God’s promises should move his people to pray, not to be lazy. So he turns to God with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes, asking that God would now bring about the mercy and restoration He has spoken about.

What is the meaning of Daniel’s fasting, sackcloth, and ashes?

Fasting, sackcloth, and ashes are signs of deep sorrow and humility. Daniel is not saying a quick, casual prayer. He is throwing himself before God, showing with his body what he feels in his heart. The fasting shows he is putting prayer above food. Sackcloth and ashes show grief over sin and lowliness before God. These outward signs match his words, where he admits Israel’s guilt and begs for mercy instead of claiming any goodness of his own.

Why does Daniel confess, “We have sinned,” when he lived a faithful life?

Daniel includes himself with the people because he is praying as one of them, not standing far above them. He says, “We have sinned… we have rebelled,” speaking of kings, princes, fathers, and all Israel. This shows a sense of shared responsibility for the nation’s unfaithfulness. He does not point fingers or act proud. Instead, he takes his place among his people, admits their many sins, and pleads for forgiveness for all of them together. It is a model of humble, corporate confession.

What does this passage teach about God’s righteousness and mercy?

Daniel says clearly, “O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces.” He admits that God was right to bring disaster and exile, because the people ignored His laws and prophets. At the same time, Daniel says, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses.” So God is both just and merciful. He keeps His word in judgment, but He is also ready to forgive when people turn back to Him. Daniel’s whole prayer rests on this: God is right in all He does, and yet rich in mercy.

Why does Daniel talk about the curse written in the law of Moses?

Daniel knows that the hardship they suffer did not come out of nowhere. Long before, God had warned His people through Moses that if they turned from His law, curses and exile would follow. When Daniel says the curse and the oath are poured out, he is admitting that what God said has truly happened. This is not blind fate, but God keeping His word. By saying this, Daniel shows that God is faithful even in discipline, and he uses it as a reason to seek God again for mercy and restoration.

What is Daniel asking God to do for Jerusalem and the sanctuary?

Daniel asks God to turn away His anger from “thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain” and to cause His face to shine on the desolate sanctuary. He knows the city and temple bear God’s name, yet have become a reproach among the nations because of sin. He pleads that God would forgive, restore the city, and look kindly again on the place where His name was set. He asks God to act “for the Lord’s sake” and “for thine own sake,” so that God’s name would be honored again.

Why does Daniel say they are not praying because of their own righteousnesses?

Daniel is very clear that he and his people have no good record to stand on. He says, “We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.” He knows their sins brought shame and exile. So he does not try to balance their wrongs with supposed good deeds. Instead, he throws himself completely on God’s character. This shows that true prayer for forgiveness rests only on God’s mercy, not on anything we think we have earned.

What was happening historically when Daniel prayed this prayer?

This prayer comes in the first year of Darius the Mede, after the Babylonian empire has fallen and power has shifted to the Medes and Persians. God had already promised that after a period of exile, His people would be allowed to return to their land. Daniel lives in that turning point. As he sees the promised time drawing near and a new ruler in place, he understands that God is moving in history. This setting makes his prayer feel urgent, as he asks God to now bring the promised restoration.

How can Daniel’s prayer of confession guide my own prayers today?

Daniel’s prayer shows several helpful patterns. He starts by focusing on who God is, great, faithful, righteous, and merciful. He plainly confesses sin, not in vague words but in honest detail, and he includes himself with others. He accepts that God is right in all He has done. Then he pleads for mercy, not because he deserves it, but because of God’s great kindness and for God’s own name. When you pray, you can follow the same path, honestly naming your sin, trusting God’s mercy, and caring about His honor.

Dan.9.1

Daniel 9:1

KJV

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;

Chapter:

Context:

Daniel’s Prayer for His People

Cross References

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