Preschool
Lo, I am with you always (Matthew 28:20).
Righteous Intercession
Memory Verses
Primary
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:20).
Junior
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:20).
Background Scripture: Daniel 9–10
Lesson Scripture: Daniel 9:3–10, 16–19
Introduction
Daniel’s humility and love for his people remains a beacon for us today. His faith was firm in times of trial and test. He would have had reason to censure his brethren who were insincere or even condemn the sins of his forefathers that caused their exile. Instead, we are blessed with the record of his intercessory prayer for himself together with God’s people. We do not read that he lifted himself above his brethren, but rather, he was willing to lead the way in repentance.
Key Verse
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men (1 Tim. 2:1).
Lesson Scripture
Daniel 9:3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.
9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.
18 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 righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
19 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.
Studying the Lesson
The faithfulness of Daniel shines down through the ages to our present time, leaving us an example to follow. As a youth, he was determined to not defile himself with that which was forbidden in the law of Moses. He must have had dedicated parents who instilled in him a love for the truth and a strong sense of right and wrong. Courage is another virtue we observe in Daniel; he was not easily turned away from what he knew was right. In spite of all the evil influences around him and those of his people who succumbed to the pressures of the king, Daniel was bold and willing to go against the king’s command.
The first part of the book of Daniel gives a backdrop of the faithful character of Daniel and his three friends. It helps us understand the humility that Daniel possessed and his desire for his people. Continuing to the last part of the book, which includes different dreams and visions given to Daniel from God, the message is not as clear, yet a distinct picture of Daniel’s burden for his people is apparent.
From one viewpoint, it seems like there would be no need for Daniel to include himself in the sins of his people. He was taken captive as a young lad, and his behavior in the king’s court was exemplary. Why include himself in his prayer of repentance and intercession? This is a clear example of Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” As we understand our depravity, it is much easier for us to include ourselves in our prayers of intercession for forgiveness for others.
Practical Truths for Today
In the Old Testament, the high priests were responsible to offer sacrifices and to intercede for the people of God. This was a precursor of Jesus’s role in becoming mankind’s atonement, intercessor, and advocate before God. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was ripped from the top to the bottom. This meant a great barrier was removed, and we as mortal people could now come directly to God with our requests.
We must ever remember that the only way we can approach our heavenly Father is through Christ’s sacrifice. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom. 8:34).
When our hearts are burdened with the weight of sin, the future looks black, and heavy clouds of oppression and disappointment hang low, it becomes difficult to even express ourselves. We then must hold to the promise of Romans 8:26–27: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
God has something for all to do. Many situations are perplexing and need the hand of God upon them. Sin is rampant, and things that once were clearly wrong are now being justified and portrayed as acceptable. Dear ones who once walked together with us have become ensnared and now follow a different way. For every heartache, trouble, and difficulty, there is a place to take these burdens and seek the power and deliverance that comes from God.
When we see the needs of the church, we can be tempted by a critical spirit. We may pray to God to open the eyes of the needy and to convict the unrighteous, but can we, like Daniel, include ourselves in our prayers, realizing that we are no better?
In times of sickness or trauma, often prayer requests are made, and surely God hears the prayers of his people. With our modern means of communication, it is easy to notify many people in a short time. Is prayer more effective when more people pray? Sometimes we can get caught up in alerting others to the situation, and the actual time spent in earnest prayer is missed. Let us not fail to submit all things to our loving Father’s will; He has the best in mind for us and desires for us to spend eternity with Him. The concern for the natural health and well-being of our loved ones should not supersede our concern for their spiritual well-being.
Jesus told a parable about a persistent widow who kept intreating a judge to make a resolution in her favor. Even though the judge was not a God-fearing man, he decided to act in her behalf because of her dogged determination. Jesus then declared, “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily” (Luke 18:7–8). Let us not grow weary bringing our petitions to the throne of grace. God hears all our prayers and will answer at the right time. There is also a time to pray in faith and then to leave it with God, knowing He has heard.
In Revelation 5:8, we read about the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures falling down before the Lamb with their harps and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of saints. It is evident from Scripture that God hears our prayers and desires us to bring Him our petitions. At the same time, we know that God allows every person to choose whether or not they will serve Him. What part do the prayers of God’s people play in changing the heart of a sinner? Let us not fear to lead the way to Calvary by way of prayer and example.
Questions
- How do we know when to persist in prayer? Is there a time when it is better to pray and then leave it with God?
- God does not force anyone to serve Him; all must make that choice. Considering this, how should we pray for the lost?
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).