1. Is it possible that some of God’s people (you) do not pray because they think it will not make a difference? That it is a waste of time & nothing is actually changed by prayer-especially in times of crisis? Would you pray more if you thought something good would happen as a result? Would you begin to pray seriously if you thought it could really make a difference?

2. “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16)

3. (9:2).  Daniel prayed for Israel. He did so, on the basis of God’s word (9:2).  (Jer 29:10-14).  The fact that God had promised to restore Israel to the land did not make Daniel’s prayer unnecessary. If anything it made it more necessary (Jer 29:10-14).  The more we know about God’s will, the more effective our prayers will be.  This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (1 Jn 5:14-15) This is just one more reason for Bible study. The more we know about what God has said to us, the more effective our prayers will be.

4. “ ““ “So I gave my attention to the Lord God” (Dan 9:3)   T  T hroughout his prayer, Daniel thinks on God’s greatness (v:4, 7, 9, 14-16)   D  Daniel knows the hope of his people is in the character, attributes and promises of God.  W What a blessing to us that God is what God is! J JJ Jonah 4:2 He prayed to the LORD and said, "Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. The more you know about the character & attributes of God, the more worthwhile your prayers will be. That is another reason to study the Bible and learn.

5.  T he more we pray, the more we ought to give up our own self-importance, self-confidence, self- righteousness and self-seeking.  D aniel boasted of nothing in himself as he emptied himself before God ( (( (9:5-16).   G  G od hears such prayers as these,  P P P Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.   G  G od is not looking for eloquence in our prayers. We can never impress God with fancy, extravagant words & eloquent speech. The more we know about God & His will, the more we will see our own shortcomings. This is one more reason to study the Bible & know our own state.

6. (Dan 6:1-2).  Daniel was an important man in the courts of Chaldea (Dan 6:1-2). Yet Daniel’s hope was not in gaining favor of Darius or Cyrus. (v:18-19).  His hope & dependence were on God! This is a fervent prayer (v:18-19).   Daniel knew that they were responsible for their current situation! He also knew that the only remedy was in God alone!  Who could give life to these dry bones? Only God. Daniel & Israel were dependent upon God! God heard Daniel, even as He hears such prayers today, (James 5:17). When we fully understand how much we need God, we will pray with more fervency. The more we study the scriptures, the more we see our need for God.

7. Isa 65:24 "It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Dan 10:12 Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. “Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” (Rom 10:1)