Final Entry Using Psalm 111 and Thoughts about the Prayer of Daniel in Chapter 9

Psalm 111:9-10:  "He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.  Holy and awesome is his name!  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.  His praise endures forever!"

Daniel 9:17-19:  "Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate.  O my God, incline your ear and hear.  Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name.  For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.  O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive.  O Lord, pay attention and act.  Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name."

As I come to the last entry for this study, I am struck by these things:
(1) Daniel's prayer was begun after he had studied the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremish;
(2) Verses 4-16 focus on the sins of the people and the rightness of God in judging them; it isn't until verse 17 that Daniel began his plea for mercy;
(3) Daniel based his request not on the righteousness of the people (or even on his own righteousness) but on the character of God.

Applications:
(1) Our prayers need to be informed by Scripture.
(2) We need to consider whether we skip over confession too quickly.
(3) We must also base our petitions on the character of God.

Worship and study go together:
Psalm 111:1-2: "Praise the LORD!  I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.  Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them."