The Prayer of Daniel in the Bible (Daniel 9)
Quick Summary
Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9 is a heartfelt plea for mercy and restoration on behalf of Israel. Set during the Babylonian exile, Daniel confesses the sins of the people and appeals to God’s covenantal faithfulness. It is one of the most profound prayers in the Bible, combining deep repentance, theological insight, and hopeful expectation.
Introduction
The ninth chapter of the Book of Daniel contains one of the most theologically rich and emotionally potent prayers in all of Scripture. Known as the Prayer of Daniel, this passage reflects a moment of intercession, national repentance, and earnest hope. Set in the context of Babylonian captivity, Daniel recognizes that the seventy years foretold by Jeremiah are nearly complete (Daniel 9:2). Moved by this awareness, he turns to God in fasting, sackcloth, and ashes, which are the symbols of mourning and repentance.
Daniel's prayer has long been a model for intercessory prayer, revealing a spirit of humility, a clear acknowledgment of sin, and a bold confidence in God’s mercy. In this post, we will explore its context, structure, key themes, and lasting significance.
Context of Daniel’s Prayer
Daniel 9:1-2 sets the historical and prophetic stage:
"In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, by birth a Mede, who became king over the realm of the Chaldeans—in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah, must be fulfilled for the devastation of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years." (Daniel 9:1-2, NRSV)
Daniel reads the prophecy in Jeremiah 25:11-12 and 29:10, where God promised that Israel’s exile in Babylon would last seventy years. Rather than responding with passive anticipation, Daniel takes this as a call to pray, confess, and seek restoration for the people of Israel.
Verse-by-Verse Outline and Commentary
Daniel 9:3
"Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes."
Daniel doesn't presume upon God. He humbles himself. The traditional signs of mourning signal Daniel's solidarity with the suffering of his people. True prayer begins with the recognition of God’s holiness and our need.
Daniel 9:4-6
"I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession... We have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled... We have not listened to your servants the prophets."
Daniel begins with confession. Notice the corporate nature of his prayer: "we have sinned." Even though Daniel personally remained faithful, he includes himself in the collective guilt. He names rebellion, iniquity, disobedience, and deafness to the prophets.
Daniel 9:7-8
"Righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame... is on us."
This is a theological contrast: God is righteous, the people are shameful. Daniel owns the consequences of sin. There is no attempt to minimize or justify.
Daniel 9:9-10
"To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him."
Even in the midst of judgment, Daniel remembers God’s merciful nature. This echoes the character of God revealed in Exodus 34:6-7. Mercy and justice are not opposites in God; they co-exist.
Daniel 9:11-14
"All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice."
Daniel affirms that the calamity Israel suffered was just and in line with the covenant outlined in Deuteronomy 28. The exile is not an accident—it is the outworking of the covenantal consequences of sin.
Daniel 9:15
"And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand... we have sinned."
Daniel roots his appeal in God’s past redemptive acts. He reminds God (and himself) of the Exodus—a foundational moment of liberation. If God redeemed before, surely He can redeem again.
Daniel 9:16-17
"O Lord, in view of all your righteous acts, let your anger and wrath, we pray, turn away... Incline your ear, O my God, and hear."
Here the intercession intensifies. Daniel asks not on the basis of Israel's merit but on God’s righteousness and covenant faithfulness. It is an appeal to divine character.
Daniel 9:18-19
"We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies."
This is the theological center of the prayer. God's grace is the only foundation for hope. Daniel pleads not for what Israel deserves, but for what God, in mercy, delights to give.
Structure of the Prayer
The structure of Daniel’s prayer can be outlined as follows:
Preparation and Humility (v.3)
Confession of Sin (vv.4-10)
Acknowledgment of Judgment (vv.11-14)
Remembrance of God’s Saving Acts (v.15)
Petition for Mercy and Restoration (vv.16-19)
This framework offers a model for prayer today: begin with humility, speak truthfully, recall God’s work, and petition boldly.
Significance of Daniel’s Prayer
A Model of Intercession
Daniel's prayer demonstrates what it means to intercede for a people. He carries their burdens, confesses on their behalf, and seeks restoration. It is not self-centered, but communal and covenantal.
A Theological Masterpiece
This prayer reveals a nuanced understanding of divine justice, covenant faithfulness, human sin, and divine mercy. It integrates personal piety with corporate responsibility.
Preparation for Prophetic Revelation
Following the prayer, Daniel receives the vision of the "seventy weeks" (Daniel 9:24-27). Prayer prepares him for deeper insight. Revelation follows intercession.
Echoes of the Prayer in Later Scripture
Ezra and Nehemiah echo similar corporate confessions (Nehemiah 9).
Jesus teaches his disciples to pray with the same spirit: "Forgive us our sins" (Luke 11:4).
The Book of James encourages confession and communal prayer (James 5:16).
Application for Today
For individuals: Daniel’s prayer challenges personal piety that ignores communal sin. It calls believers to stand in the gap.
For churches: It reminds congregations to regularly confess, repent, and remember God’s promises.
For society: In a world quick to assign blame, Daniel’s prayer shows what it looks like to take collective responsibility and ask God for healing.
Resources and Commentary
To explore Daniel 9 in more depth, consider these resources:
Tremper Longman III, Daniel (NIV Application Commentary, 1999)
Joyce Baldwin, Daniel (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, 1978)
Sinclair Ferguson, Daniel (The Preacher’s Commentary, 1988)
John Goldingay, Daniel (Word Biblical Commentary, 1989)
FAQs
Q: Why did Daniel include himself in the confession if he was righteous?
A: Daniel understood that as a member of Israel, he was part of the covenant community. His confession was not about personal guilt but about corporate solidarity.
Q: What does this prayer teach us about God’s character?
A: God is just, merciful, forgiving, and faithful to His covenant. He responds to humble, repentant prayer.
Q: Is the seventy years literal or symbolic?
A: Many scholars believe it refers literally to the exile, while others see symbolic or typological layers, especially in light of the vision that follows.
Q: How can I use this prayer in my own life?
A: Use it as a template for confession and intercession. Its rhythm of humility, confession, remembrance, and petition offers a framework for your own prayers.
