A Prayer for an Obedient Faith Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock A Prayer for an Obedient Faith Lesson 8

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Introduction A. When Direction Is Needed B. Lesson Background

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Next? We all have come to figurative “forks in the road” in our lives. At these times we know that our lives will change because of the direction we decide to take. Think of some of those crossroads moments. What was some of the best advice you received at those times? Item number: 200445129-001 Collection: Kay Lee Davies / Photodisc / Thinkstock® Graphic: Kay Lee Davies / Photodisc / Thinkstock®

What Next? To the newlyweds: To the expectant parent: Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Next? To the newlyweds: Never go to bed angry. To the expectant parent: Be the kind of person you will want your child to marry. To the first-time homeowner: Don’t ignore home maintenance. To the graduate: Education is not a destination, but a journey. What do you think of this advice? Click to add notes Graphic: Kay Lee Davies / Photodisc / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Next? These words of advice may seem trite, but they are important. We know what it is like to reach a figurative crossroads moment in our lives. From that moment forward, we know that our lives will change dramatically. Let’s see what Daniel did when facing such a crossroads moment. Click to add notes Graphic: Kay Lee Davies / Photodisc / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline I. People’s Sins (Daniel 9:4-8) A. Rebellion (vv. 4, 5) B. Deafness (v. 6) C. Shame (vv. 7, 8)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Daniel’s CPA When we hear the initials CPA, we think “certified public accountant.” We turn to a CPA to see if our finances are in order. As the end of the exile was nearing, Daniel examined the state of the accounts between his nation and God. In Daniel’s “audit,” CPA can be seen to stand for CONFESSION, PRAISE, and APPEAL. Item number: 514754809 Collection: kencor04 / iStock / Thinkstock® Graphic: kencor04 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Daniel’s CPA CONFESSION—Read Daniel 9:4-8. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Daniel’s CPA CONFESSION—Read Daniel 9:4-8. Try to paraphrase Daniel’s confessions about Israel. Confession 1 (vv. 4, 5): Even though God is faithful and keeps His word, His people were unfaithful. Israel broke the conditions of the covenant, rebelling against God’s commandments. Click to add notes Graphic: kencor04 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Daniel’s CPA Confession 2 (vv. 6-8): Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Daniel’s CPA Confession 2 (vv. 6-8): God went above and beyond the conditions of the covenant, sending prophets to remind Israel to be faithful to the Lord. Nevertheless, Israel—from the rulers to the ordinary people—ignored those warnings and continued to sin. As a result, all the people of Israel should be ashamed of themselves. Click to add notes Graphic: kencor04 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How should remembering God’s character shape how we talk to God about our sins? Talking Points for Your Discussion With reference to His holiness With reference to His love With reference to His faithful consistency 10

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? In what ways would a Christian’s behavior change if he or she assumed personal responsibility for communal sins? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding private prayer Regarding public prayer Regarding Christian activism Other 11

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline II. God’s Holiness (Daniel 9:15, 16) A. Holy in Power (v. 15) B. Holy in Mercy (v. 16)

Daniel’s CPA PRAISE—Read Daniel 9:15, 16. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Daniel’s CPA PRAISE—Read Daniel 9:15, 16. Try to paraphrase this portion of Daniel’s praiseful prayer. Praiseful statement 1 (v. 15): God showed His power by rescuing His people from slavery in Egypt years earlier. God is the same powerful God in Daniel’s day as He was in the day of Moses. God’s power does not change, even though His people turned from Him. Click to add notes Graphic: kencor04 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Daniel’s CPA Praiseful statement 2 (v. 16): Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Daniel’s CPA Praiseful statement 2 (v. 16): God is powerful, but He is also righteous. Even though Israel deserved to be destroyed for breaking the covenant, Daniel could go to Him and ask for mercy. The surrounding nations ridiculed the lowly state the Israelites had brought upon themselves, but a merciful God could still rescue them! Click to add notes Graphic: kencor04 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What steps can we take to ensure that we thank God regularly for past rescues? Talking Points for Your Discussion In corporate worship In private prayers and devotions Other 15

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline III. Daniel’s Request (Daniel 9:17-19) A. For Worship Renewal (v. 17) B. For National Renewal (vv. 18, 19)

Daniel’s CPA APPEAL—Read Daniel 9:17-19. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Daniel’s CPA APPEAL—Read Daniel 9:17-19. Try to paraphrase Daniel’s appeals for God’s intervention. Appeal 1 (v. 17): The temple had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar’s army years earlier. Daniel asked that even though the temple was in ruins, God would acknowledge his sincere appeals and restore Israel’s worship. Click to add notes Graphic: kencor04 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Daniel’s CPA Appeal 2 (vv. 18, 19): Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Daniel’s CPA Appeal 2 (vv. 18, 19): The entire city of Jerusalem had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar’s army years earlier. Daniel acknowledged that the Israelites did not deserve to have their nation restored. Nevertheless, Daniel appealed to God to forgive and restore His people. Click to add notes Graphic: kencor04 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What positive changes might result if Christians started to appeal to God to act for the sake of His reputation? Why? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding interactions with fellow believers Regarding interactions with unbelievers 19

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What should we do when God doesn’t seem to be answering our prayers? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding something yet to happen Regarding something that has already happened 20

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Conclusion A. Priorities in Prayer B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock By Definition Daniel’s prayer is a good model for us to use in our prayers. Consider the definitions of the key portions of Daniel’s prayer, and evaluate your own prayers by those words. Item number: 101184686 Collection: Oleksiy Mark / Hemera / Thinkstock® Graphic: Oleksiy Mark / Hemera / Thinkstock®

By Definition CONFESS, verb Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock By Definition CONFESS, verb 1. Admit or state that one has committed a crime or is at fault in some way. 2. Admit or acknowledge something reluctantly, typically because one feels slightly ashamed or embarrassed. Synonyms: admit, acknowledge, reveal, disclose, divulge, avow, declare, profess What do you need to confess to God in prayer? Click to add notes Graphic: Oleksiy Mark / Hemera / Thinkstock®

By Definition PRAISE, verb Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock By Definition PRAISE, verb 1. Express approval or admiration of. 2. Offer grateful homage to, as in words or song. Synonyms: acclaim, adore, commend, extol, honor, worship What actions and attributes of God should you praise when you pray? Click to add notes Graphic: Oleksiy Mark / Hemera / Thinkstock®

By Definition APPEAL, verb Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock By Definition APPEAL, verb 1. Make a serious of urgent request, typically to the public. 2. Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court. Synonyms: ask urgently/earnestly, make an urgent/earnest request, call, make a plea, plead What appeal would you like to make to God through prayer?  Click to add notes Graphic: Oleksiy Mark / Hemera / Thinkstock®

Horizontal Visual Divide into pairs or small groups to close in prayer with the CPA model described in this lesson.

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Thought to Remember Take the first steps of important journeys on your knees.

A STRONG FAITH Next Week’s Lesson Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Next Week’s Lesson A STRONG FAITH