Verse 3
Jeremiah had revealed that God would restore His people to their land when they prayed to Him wholeheartedly (Jeremiah 29:12-14). This revelation prompted Daniel to pray the prayer that follows (Daniel 9:3-19). Daniel’s prayer fulfills what Solomon anticipated in his prayer at the dedication of the temple (cf. 1 Kings 8:33-36). Daniel did not regard prayer as unnecessary in view of the certainty of the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. He viewed prayer properly as one means that God uses to accomplish His will in human history (cf. Daniel 6:10). Through prayer we become partners with God in bringing His will to fruition in the world. Daniel’s behavior, as well as his words, expressed the genuineness of his contrition.
"These verses show Daniel as a diligent student of Scripture who built his prayer life on the Word of God." [Note: Archer, "Daniel," p. 107.]
"This verse teaches that biblical prophecy should bring us to our knees, as it did Daniel." [Note: Feinberg, p. 119.]
"While God honors the briefest of prayers, as the experience of Nehemiah 2:4 indicates, effective prayer requires faith in the Word of God, proper attitude of mind and heart, privacy, and unhurried confession and petition. Daniel’s humility, reverence, and earnestness are the hallmarks of effective prayer." [Note: Walvoord, Daniel . . ., p. 206.]
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