Faithful Prayer: Partnering with God in Promise

When the power of God’s Word becomes the foundation of life, everything else fades in importance. No matter what others say or do, the unchanging relationship with Jesus brings hope, purpose, and abundant life. In times of hardship, the first response should not be anger, bitterness, or self-reliance, but turning to God in prayer, seeking His heart and His promises for the future. Daniel’s story, especially his prayer in Daniel 9, offers a profound example of how to respond when hope seems lost.

Daniel was taken into exile as a young man, stripped of his homeland, language, and culture. Despite decades in a foreign land, he remained steadfast, opening his windows toward Jerusalem and praying faithfully. Even after witnessing God’s miraculous interventions, Daniel did not become passive. Instead, when he discovered Jeremiah’s prophecy that the exile would last seventy years, he engaged with God’s promise, praying fervently and identifying himself with the sins of his people. Daniel’s prayer was not based on his own merit, but on God’s compassion and faithfulness.

God’s prophetic words are not just predictions of the future; they are invitations to partner with Him in what He is doing. Prophecy is both present and future, calling us to believe, pray, and act in alignment with God’s revealed will. Daniel’s example shows that when God gives a promise, He desires us to seek Him, declare His Word, and participate in its fulfillment.

This principle is not just for biblical heroes. Each person is called to dig into Scripture, find God’s promises, and pray them back to Him with faith. Even when answers are delayed, or circumstances seem unchanged, perseverance in prayer and trust in God’s Word will ultimately bear fruit. Personal testimony of healing after months of struggle illustrates that God’s promises are trustworthy, even if the journey is long. Every breakthrough, no matter how small, is a reason to celebrate and a step closer to further victories.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Word is the anchor in every circumstance, and a living relationship with Him brings unshakeable hope and purpose. When everything else is stripped away, standing on His promises transforms how we respond to trials, shifting our focus from circumstances to His faithfulness. [01:12]
• 2. Prophecy is not just about foretelling the future; it is God inviting us to participate in His plans. When God reveals something in advance, it is so we can join Him in prayer, faith, and action, recognizing that fulfillment comes from His initiative, not our striving. [09:50]
• 3. Daniel’s prayer life was marked by humility, repentance, and identification with his people’s need. He did not pray from a place of superiority but confessed “we have sinned,” appealing to God’s compassion rather than his own merit. True intercession involves standing in the gap for others and seeking God’s mercy for all. [12:57]
• 4. Praying God’s promises back to Him is a powerful way to align with His heart and see His purposes fulfilled. When we dig into Scripture, find a promise, and declare it in faith, we move from passive waiting to active partnership with God, just as Daniel did. [17:29]
• 5. Perseverance in prayer is essential, especially when answers are delayed. Breakthroughs may not come instantly, but every testimony of God’s faithfulness is a reason to celebrate and a sign that He is at work. Sharing these victories builds faith in the community and encourages others to keep standing on God’s Word. [24:08]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:12] - Responding to Hard Times: Where Do We Turn?
• [02:59] - Daniel’s Exile and Faithfulness in Babylon
• [04:07] - God’s Protection Through Four Kings
• [05:29] - Jeremiah’s Prophecy and Its Context
• [06:19] - The Call to Seek God Wholeheartedly
• [07:52] - God’s Invitation to Participate in Prophecy
• [08:53] - Prophecy as Partnership: Abraham, Mary, Hezekiah
• [09:50] - The Purpose of Prophecy
• [10:57] - Daniel Discovers Isaiah’s Prophecy of Cyrus
• [12:03] - Daniel’s Ten Years of Fervent Prayer
• [12:57] - The Heart of Daniel’s Prayer
• [14:10] - Cyrus Fulfills God’s Promise
• [15:47] - Focusing on God’s Promises in Difficult Circumstances
• [17:29] - Praying God’s Promises Back to Him
• [18:51] - Believing and Receiving God’s Word
• [20:04] - Personal Testimony: Standing on God’s Word for Healing
• [22:40] - Celebrating Breakthroughs and Persevering in Prayer
• [24:54] - Sharing Testimonies and Building Faith
• [25:45] - Closing Prayer and Invitation for Ministry

Bible Reading

Daniel 9:1-19 (ESV) — In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. 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... (continue through verse 19).”

Jeremiah 29:10-14 (ESV) — “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

Isaiah 44:28; 45:1,13 (ESV) — “...who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”
“Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him... I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward,” says the Lord of hosts.

Observation Questions

1. What did Daniel do when he discovered Jeremiah’s prophecy about the seventy years of exile? ([05:29])
2. How did Daniel approach God in his prayer in Daniel 9? What attitude did he show? ([12:57])
3. According to Jeremiah 29, what does God promise to do after seventy years in Babylon? What does He ask the people to do in response? ([05:29])
4. In Isaiah’s prophecy, what specific person is named, and what is he prophesied to do? ([12:03])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Daniel didn’t just sit back and wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled, but instead prayed fervently and identified with his people’s sins? What does this show about his understanding of prophecy and partnership with God? ([06:19])
2. The sermon says prophecy is not just about foretelling the future, but an invitation to partner with God. How does this change the way we view God’s promises in Scripture? ([09:50])
3. Daniel’s prayer was marked by humility and repentance, confessing “we have sinned.” Why is it important to approach God this way, even when praying for promises to be fulfilled? ([12:57])
4. The pastor shared a personal story of praying God’s promises for healing over many months. What does this teach about perseverance and faith when answers are delayed? ([20:04])

Application Questions

1. When you face hardship or feel hopeless, what is your first response? Do you tend to turn to God in prayer, or do you try to sort things out yourself? What would it look like to make prayer your first response this week? ([01:12])
2. Daniel dug into Scripture to find God’s promises and prayed them back to God. Is there a promise from God’s Word that you need to stand on right now? How can you begin to pray it daily? ([17:29])
3. Daniel’s prayer included confessing the sins of his people, not just his own. Is there a situation where you need to stand in the gap and pray for others, not just yourself? What would that look like? ([12:57])
4. The sermon emphasized that prophecy is an invitation to participate in what God is doing. Is there an area of your life or our church where you sense God inviting you to pray, believe, and act in faith? ([09:50])
5. The pastor shared about celebrating every breakthrough, even small ones, as a sign of God’s faithfulness. Can you share a recent “win” or answered prayer, no matter how small? How can you celebrate and share it to encourage others? ([24:08])
6. Sometimes answers to prayer are delayed, and it’s easy to get discouraged. What helps you persevere in prayer when you don’t see immediate results? Is there a specific situation where you need encouragement to keep praying? ([23:37])
7. The pastor asked, “Are you standing on Scripture or a prophetic word that God’s given you?” How can you practically “stand on” God’s Word this week—what step will you take? ([16:26])