(Based on Daniel Zine Chapter 9: Mercy)
Juliette Alvey
Dear Grown-ups,
What does your typical bedtime prayer include? When I tuck my kids in at night, I usually pray for protection, wellness, and a good night’s sleep. The thought often occurs to me that my prayers are pretty small and narrow. Sometimes I remember to throw in a prayer for “anyone who is sick or hurting” or an even bigger prayer, such as “peace in our world.”
We may feel like our prayers are too small, especially those like, “Lord, help me fall back to sleep!” And that is true. No matter how big the ask seems to us, it is still small to God.
In chapter 9 of the book of Daniel, he prays a prayer that sounds big. Daniel is now an old man and has counted down the years until his people can return to Jerusalem. Appealing to God’s character and mercy, he repents on behalf of the people for not following God’s ways and asks when they will be free from exile. Through prayer, he shares his heartache with God.
God’s answer? He cares so much for Daniel that he sends an angel! The Angel Gabriel tells Daniel that 1) God hears him, 2) Daniel is loved, and 3) God is answering in his perfect timing. Then he gives Daniel insight into the way God is answering his prayer, which is too much for Daniel to understand: He speaks of an “anointed one” that will bring an end to sin, atonement for iniquity, everlasting righteousness, and a most holy place. Daniel may be picturing Jerusalem and the “most holy place” in the temple, but Gabriel speaks of an even greater fulfillment of God’s promise. Daniel asks for Jerusalem—God’s answer is ultimately found in Jesus.
It may have felt to Daniel that God was not answering his prayer. But God’s answer addresses a deeper need than what we know to ask for.
Let’s think about what we are really asking in our tiny prayers to God: When we ask for good health, we are yearning for an end to sickness and death. When we ask for protection, we are yearning for a world without danger or war. When we ask for a good night’s sleep, we are yearning for peace and comfort. God hears every single one of our prayers, and he knows and understands our hearts and our heartaches. He promises to hear those prayers and answer them. In his mercy, he may not answer them in the timing or the way we think would be best, but in Jesus, he answers our ultimate and eternal needs.
There is no prayer too small or too big for God. He wants us to bring it all to him because of his great love for us. He cares. He hears. God is merciful to answer those prayers in perfect ways and in perfect timing. And ultimately, all prayers are answered in Jesus, who brings us life, peace, comfort, and an end to all heartache.
