Prayer Starts with Listening

In Daniel 9:2 I read, “During Darius’ first year as king, I, Daniel, was reading the Scriptures. I saw that the LORD told Jeremiah that Jerusalem would be empty ruins for seventy years." (NCV)

Prayer doesn’t start with talking. It starts with listening.

For my prayers to be effective, first listen to God by reading his Word, the Bible. I need to let God talk to me so I know how to pray, what to pray, where to pray, and when to pray.

Daniel prayed effectively because he knew God’s Word. He had survived three different administrations in captivity and even gotten promoted within them. He was 85 years old and knew God had promised to bring the Israelites home after 70 years in Babylon. But he also knew that the Israelites had not turned back to God. Seventy years later, they were still as messed up as they ever were.

“During Darius’ first year as king, I, Daniel, was reading the Scriptures. I saw that the LORD told Jeremiah that Jerusalem would be empty ruins for seventy years” (Daniel 9:2 NCV).

Because he studied Scripture, Daniel knew what God had promised and what was required of Israel. Because of that, he could make wise decisions.

I will never be able to pray effectively until, like Daniel, I study the Scriptures and learn from God’s Word, every single day. The more I know the Bible, the more prayers I’m going to have answered. I’ve got to read from God’s Word every single day so I can learn and remember the promises that God has made to me.

I need to spend some time daily, however long it is, listening to God by reading the Bible and then talking to him. Daniel did this three times a day for more than 70 years! It was a daily habit for him.

Would my life be any different if I developed this same habit?  It’s no wonder Daniel avoided problems, became wise, and kept getting promoted.

Developing a habit of daily Bible study and prayer revolutionizes my life. It will make me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stronger. I will be more confident, less fearful, and less stressed. It will improve every single area of my life.

Make it a point today to continue in a healthy discipline of Bible study and prayer so that I can listen to God and talk to him.

In summary, prayer doesn’t start with talking. It starts with listening. For my prayers to be effective, I need to first listen to God by reading his Word. I need to let God talk to me so I know how to, what to pray, where to, and when to pray. Daniel prayed effectively because he knew God’s Word. Because he studied Scripture, Daniel knew what God had promised and what was required of Israel. Because of that, he could make wise decisions. I will never be able to pray effectively until, like Daniel, I study the Scriptures and learn from God’s Word, every single day. The more I know the Bible, the more prayers I’m going to have answered. I’ve got to read from God’s Word every single day so I can learn and remember the promises that God has made to me. Spend some time daily, listening to God by reading and then talking to him. Daniel did this three times a day for more than 70 years! Would my life be any different if I developed this same habit? Daniel avoided problems, became wise, and kept getting promoted. Developing a habit of daily Bible study and prayer will revolutionize my life. I will be more confident, less fearful, and less stressed. So I need to continue in a healthy discipline of Bible study and prayer so that I can listen to God and talk to him.

In this passage I see the example of how Daniel pleaded with God to bring about the promised return of his people to their land. The prophet Jeremiah had written that God would not allow the captives to return to their land for 70 years. Daniel knew of this prophecy and realized that this 70-year period was coming to an end. Because of this, he knew how to pray effectively.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.