Scripture Focus
“During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I… I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: ‘O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.’”
—Daniel 9:2–5 (NLT)


“…you keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. …you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you.”
—Daniel 9:4, 7 (NLT)


“But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice. …Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.”
—Daniel 9:9–12, 14 (NLT)


“And the man said to me, ‘Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. … ‘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… Don’t be afraid,’ he said, ‘for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!’ As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, ‘Please speak to me, my Lord, for you have strengthened me.’”
—Daniel 10:11–12, 19 (NLT)


Reflection
Daniel’s life was marked by devotion, loyalty, and faith in the true and living God. From youth to old age, he remained unshakable because his faith was anchored in God. Even in exile, Daniel’s hunger for God’s Word never dimmed. As an old man, he searched Jeremiah’s writings and discovered the promise of seventy years of desolation. He responded not with pride but with humility, prayer, fasting, and confession.
His prayer reveals how deeply he knew God. Daniel acknowledged God’s greatness, mercy, and covenant-keeping love while also confessing the sins of his people without excuse. He stood in the gap, pleading for mercy—not for his sake, but for the sake of God’s name and reputation.


⚔️ True Warfare
Daniel wasn’t fighting with weapons but on his knees. For three weeks he prayed and fasted, contending in unseen battle. The angel told him: “Since the first day you began to pray… your request has been heard in heaven. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me for twenty-one days” (Daniel 10:12–13).
This shows us that prayer stirs movement in the spiritual realm. Demonic resistance may delay answers, but God’s messengers are fighting for breakthrough. Daniel trembled at the weight of it all, but God strengthened him with these words: “You are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” (10:19).


🌟 Another Lesson
Daniel’s visions remind us that God’s Word is true because His prophecies always come to pass. The seventy years Jeremiah foretold were fulfilled right on time. Daniel was also shown prophecies that would unfold in the coming of the Messiah and beyond. And even today, there are still prophecies left to be fulfilled.
That truth should encourage me to stay committed, loyal, and faithful to Jesus as I wait for His return. If God’s Word has proven true in the past, I can trust His promises for the future.


Lesson for Me
Daniel’s life was consistent from beginning to end—courageous, humble, prayerful, and faithful. He believed God’s Word, trusted Him fully, and lived it out in devotion and warfare.

💭 What is my life showing?

• Do I hunger for God’s Word as Daniel did?
• Do my prayers reveal a heart that knows and trusts Him?
• Am I willing to engage in the true warfare of prayer until breakthrough comes?
• Do I live with confidence that God’s Word will be fulfilled, and with faithfulness as I wait for Jesus’ return?

❓ Application Questions

1. When I read God’s Word, do I treat it as living truth that requires a response, like Daniel did with Jeremiah’s prophecy?
2. In what areas of my life is God calling me to humble myself with confession and repentance?
3. How can I become more consistent in prayer—even when I don’t see immediate answers?
4. What promises of God am I holding onto as I wait for Christ’s return?

🙏 Prayer
Lord, You are great and awesome, merciful and forgiving. Like Daniel, I confess my sins and the sins of my people, knowing You are righteous in all Your ways. Thank You that my prayers are heard from the first day, even when answers are delayed. Strengthen me to stay faithful in the battle of prayer. Help me live with confidence in Your Word, committed and loyal to Jesus, as I wait for His return. Amen.


🪧 Takeaway
Daniel’s devotion, prayer, and visions remind me that God’s Word is always true and prayer is real warfare. Because every promise of God will be fulfilled, I can stand firm, loyal, and faithful to Jesus as I wait for His return.