1. Before you SPEAK to God, LISTEN to him.
“It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede who was made king of the Babylonians (by Cyrus). During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, was studying the Scriptures. I learned from the Word of the Lord, as recorded by Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.” Daniel 9:1-2
“God says this to you: ‘You will be kept in Babylon for 70 years. But then I’ll keep my gracious promise to bring you back to your home again. For I know the plans I have for you’ says the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you, not plans for your disaster. My plans will give you hope and a future. In those days when you pray, I will listen.’”       Jeremiah 29:10-12

2. Focus your ATTENTION on God.
“So I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him…” Daniel 9:3a
“So I gave my attention to the Lord to seek Him by prayer…”  Daniel 9:3a

3. Pour out your REQUESTS to God.
“And I began pleading with God earnestly in prayer…” Daniel 9:3b
“I poured out my heart, baring my soul to God…    ” Daniel 9:4a
“Then My people will join together in tears to seek the Lord. And they will ask the way to Jerusalem and they will start back home again.”  Jeremiah 50:4b-5a

4. Get SERIOUS about prayer.

• HUMBLE yourself.
  “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
• FAST.
  “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.” Daniel 9:3c
• ENLIST OTHERS.
  [Jesus] “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, My Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as My followers, I am there among them.”  Matthew 18:19-20
• CONFESS your sins.
  “But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against You and scorned Your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to Your servants the prophets, who spoke on Your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.” Daniel 9:5-6

5. Thank God in the WAITING.
“Then I said ‘Lord, You are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill Your promises of constant love to those who love You and keep Your commands.’” Daniel 9:4
“Even though we have rebelled against You, You Lord are merciful and forgiving.” Daniel 9:9

God Responds
“While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the Lord my God concerning His holy mountain—while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: ‘O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision.’”    
Daniel 9:20-23a

Further Insights from Daniel
“Then he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.  But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.’”  Daniel 10:12-14
 

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Small Group Discussion Questions