3-Day Bible Reading Plan: We haven't, but I will
“Big Idea: We haven’t, but I will. These five words summarize Daniel’s prayer. His prayer started with corporate confession, “We haven’t” and then moved to personal ownership, “I will.” Daniel didn’t just complain about the sins of his people. He didn’t say “they” or “those people” sinned. He said “we” have sinned. He included himself in the confession. He then took the initiative to plead for God’s mercy. He didn’t wait for someone to lead out. He knew that God was up to something big and he wanted to be a part of it. Let’s examine Daniel’s prayer posture together and discuss how we can model that posture ourselves.” - Pastor Paul, 2/18.24
Day 1:
Feature Passage: Daniel 9:3-11 - “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him.”
Cross References:
Reflection Questions:
Do you find yourself frustrated when comparing your life to past spiritual movements? Why or why not?
How does Daniel's prayer posture challenge your own prayer habits?
What are some "corporate confessions" you can make as part of the American Church?
Day 2:
Feature Passage: Nehemiah 1:4-11 - “As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.”
Cross References:
Reflection Questions:
How does Nehemiah's confession mirror that of Daniel?
What promise of God does Nehemiah refer to, and how does it connect to Daniel's prophecy?
Do you see evidence of the sins mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3 within the American Church? How so?
Day 3:
Feature Passage: Matthew 24:14 and 28:18-20 - “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Cross References:
Reflection Questions:
Does the promise of Matthew 24:14 motivate you to be more active in fulfilling the mission of Matthew 28:18-20? Why or why not?
How can you personally contribute to prayer initiatives like the one mentioned in the message?
What steps can you take to confess your own sins and ask God for forgiveness and renewal?
Grow Deeper
Head: Read Nehemiah 1:4-11. What does Nehemiah say about the character of God and how does that mirror what Daniel said about God in his prayer in Daniel 9:1-19? In what ways are Daniel’s and Nehemiah’s confessions similar? What promise of God does Nehemiah refer to in his prayer and how does it connect to the prophecy Daniel cited in his prayer?
Heart: Read Revelation 2:19-23 and 3:15-20. Describe the sins of these churches and how Jesus warns he will respond to their sins. Do you see these types of sins in the American Church? If so, how? Do you see these sins in your own heart? If so, how?
Hands: Read Matthew 16:13-20. What promises did Peter receive after he confessed Jesus as the Christ? How do these promises relate to us, “the church”?
Habits: Read Matthew 24:14 and 28:18-20. Does the promise of 24:14 make you more active or passive in fulfilling the mission of 28:18-20? Why?