Scripture

I learned… that Jerusalem must lie desolate for 70 years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting.

Observation.

In the first year of King Darius, Daniel learns from reading the prophecy of Jeremiah that Jerusalem must lie desolate for 70 years. So he turns to the Lord in prayer and fasting.

Daniel’s prayer is a prayer of confession and intercession. Even though Daniel himself is a righteous man, he identifies himself with the sins of his people. He recognises that God has punished His people for rebelling against Him.

He recognised that what has happened to the people of Israel is the exact curse and judgement that is written in the law of Moses.

Daniel now asks that the Lord opens His eyes and see the despair of His people and the ruins of the Lord’s own city.

Application

Having read Jeremiah’s prophecy, Daniel comes to the Lord in prayer. It is not yet 70 years since Jerusalem was taken by the Babylonians, but Daniel sees that the time is coming close. So he presses in with prayer and fasting.

Apparently yesterday, September 23rd 2025, was a significant day according to some prophecy experts As far as I can tell neither the Rapture nor the Tribulation happened, despite it being the most significant day in seven thousand years.

Daniel was not a person who sought to sensationalise prophecy. Instead he saw the prophecy, interpreted it to mean that the time was coming, and he turned to God in powerful confession and intercession for his nation.

Perhaps there is a lesson here for us. Instead of reacting to the sensationalism of some modern day prophets, we should use their words to drive us to fellowship with the Lord and to deep intercession.

Prayer

Lord, I know that you are in control of all things. Please help me to trust you always and to seek your face each day. Amen.