“Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:3
Daniel prayed for the nation of Israel because they had strayed from God. It was prophesied by Jeremiah that this nation of people would not be allowed to return to their beloved country Jerusalem for seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11-12, Jeremiah 29:10). As the time of the seventy years approached its end Daniel prayed for the people and the nation. The prayer was not one of petitions or commands upon God, but one of repentance. Daniel prayed. He repented of his own sins and the sins of this nation, Jerusalem. He realized that without repentance – without sorrowful, remorseful, regret, God would not hear his prayers. He knew to blame others for their actions would not turn God’s ear—He knew his own heart must first be examined. And as he truly opened his heart to God he asked for God’s will to be revealed.
We can still feel the intensity of Daniel’s prayer. He was earnest, he was intense, but most of all he was sincere. And Daniel’s prayer really got God’s attention—In fact, while Daniel was still praying, the Lord sent Gabriel with a message—the famous message about the seventy sevens, which is the foundation stone of biblical prophecy. Look at verse 20: “While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for His holy Temple to be restored—while I was still in prayer… “ (the Lord answered). Notice how eager the Lord was to respond. Notice how quickly God answered. And God is eager to answer our prayers too. As we confess, the Lord hears, and answers, and restores.
Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as the Rev. Fred Mast continues a summer series of messages focused on prayer in a message entitled “The Prayer That Moved the Heavens & Changed Nations”. Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30 am featuring meaningful and uplifting music, special times of prayer and passionate life changing messages designed to move you closer in your relationship with Jesus Christ and others. Immediately following worship, you are encouraged and invited to stay and join us in our Fellowship Hall for the friendliest and best fellowship time anywhere featuring delicious snacks and great coffee and always friendship.
Sedona UMC continues an eight-week adult study based on the New York Times Bestselling Book “The Circle Maker—Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears” by Mark Batterson. Two studies are happening—Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am at the church (110 Indian Cliffs Rd.), and Tuesday afternoons at 2 PM at the Gathering Place (1835 W. State Rte. 89A) in West Sedona. The entire community is welcome and invited—Please Call the church office for more details (928)282-1780.
We offer several weekly book and bible studies: Wednesday’s our Men’s Bible Study at 9am; and Thursday’s our Women’s Bible Study at 9:45am. So many great missions, ministries and events happening at Sedona UMC—Visit our website at us on www.sedonaumc.org and “Like” us on Facebook. We would love to pray for you!—Prayer requests may be submitted online or by calling us at 928-282-1780. We are conveniently located at 110 Indian Cliffs Road off the Back O’Beyond roundabout on Route 179 in Sedona. All are welcome at Sedona UMC—Come and grow with us!
