717. DAN 9:18, DAN 9:19. DANIEL’S PRAYER FOR JERUSALEM

Dan_9:18, Dan_9:19. Daniel’s Prayer for Jerusalem

"O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name; for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy groat mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name."’97Dan_9:18, Dan_9:19.

Daniel was signally eminent in three respects:’97

As a man of personal holiness.

As a distinguished patriot,’97a true lover of his country.

As an ardent lover of the Jewish faith, and the public services of religion.

We might long expatiate on the various striking traits of excellency, which were so beautifully exhibited in each and all of these great departments of his preeminent piety.

My text contains the mournful, yet fervent supplications of his soul, for the holy city; and contains just those emotions which should ever characterize our prayers, on behalf of the church of God. Now Jerusalem of old,

Typified the social character of the church.

It typified the visibility of the church.

It typified the religious public exercises of the church.

It typified the security and permanency of the church.

It typified the afflictions of the church.

It typified God’s interest in the church.

But I pass over all these points, and consider the prayer of Daniel as a beautiful model, well worthy of our imitation, when seeking the prosperity of Zion.

Observe,

I. The desolations asserted.

II. The supplications presented. And,

III. The grounds or reasons assigned. I. The desolations asserted. Jerusalem in ruins. Temple destroyed.

The people of God in captivity.

Our present causes of mourning in reference to the church of God, may include,

1. The spirit of prevailing formality.

So many at ease. So many indifferent. So many inactive. So few living for Zion’s weal, &c.

2. The signs of evident weakness.

Want of moral power and spiritual energy. Not telling on the masses at home. Not making rapid progress on the heathen abroad. Often apparently behind the spirit of the age, and the movements of the times. Her position often suspicious.

3. The prevailing spirit of partyism and denominationalism.

More zeal for this, than for primitive Christianity. Proselytism more common than conversion, &c. Greater love and union wanted. More of Christ, and less of men’97more of the Bible, and less of creeds. The original weapons are only mighty’97the word of God and prayer. The original fire essential,’97fire of celestial zeal and love. The original spirit of true Christian simplicity, and not a worldly religion. Zion’s sins have thus eclipsed her, degraded her polluted her. Notice,

II. The supplications presented.

1. The gracious attention of God is entreated.

"O my God, incline thine ear," &c. Dan_9:19. O Lord, hear, &c. "O thou that hearest prayer," &c. God is supposed to be offended, and to have departed. He is now implored to return, &c. All in vain unless God hear. Yet how condescending, gracious, and longsuffering, &c., for God to do so.

2. His merciful inspection is sought.

"Open thine eyes and behold," &c. Are we prepared for this active searching ordeal? Eyes of purity, as flames, &c. If so, who could stand? Are we that preach ready for this? As to our subjects, studies, motives, objects? &c. Are the officers of the church? Members of the church? As to our services, duties? &c. Unless in mercy, it would be our undoing, our ruin, &c. But if humbled, abased, penitential, reforming, it would be our salvation!

3. God’s interfering help is solicited.

"O Lord, hearken and do." Not what we ought to do, or can do: God never does this,

(1.) But do all for us, we cannot do, &c.

(2.) Do all in us, we need. Work thine own work, &c. Fill us with thyself’97thy spirit’97thy zeal, &c.

(3.) Do by us what thy church ought to do in the world. Use us, &c. Qualify, and then employ us, &c.

4. The instant aid of the Lord is entreated. "Defer not." Our state has been too long sad and doleful, and we are waxing worse. Our sorrow and wretchedness are great. Souls are perishing in crowds’97the night of death is coming; O Lord, defer not, &c. We should ever expect present blessings,’97a present salvation,’97present reviving,’97present comfort, &c. Then consider,

III. The grounds or reasons assigned. Here Daniel proves himself a successful pleader.

1. He repudiates all self-righteousness. "Not for our righteousness," &c. How essential to be sound here. All must be renounced, &c. Self-crucified, &c. "God forbid," &c.

2. He appeals to God’s name. "Called by thy name," &c. Name of

God on his cause, and in it. God identified with it. God’s honor, fidelity, &c. Its origin and progress, &c. How applicable to God’s church.

3. He pleads God’s great mercies.

How great! Who can tell? In magnitude’97in number’97in extent’97in duration’97in height, breadth, length, &c. We have this especially exhibited in the face of Jesus Christ’97in the gospel, &c.

4. He pleads God’s own sake.

His cause and his purposes.’97His cause and his dispensations.’97His cause and his promises.’97His cause and his glory; all connected, &c. The great end of all God’s doings, &c.

Application

1. Do we thus pray for the church? We ought. It needs it. It should have it.

2. Let such prayers be accompanied with right action.

Consecration to God’s cause. Activity, labor, self-denial.

3. Love to the cause of Christ and personal religious prosperity are inseparable.

They that love thee shall prosper; not may, but shall.

4. Urge upon sinners to pray for themselves, and to begin now.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS