18. Incline, O my God, thy ear, and hear: open thy eyes, and see our desolation, and the city upon which thy name is called: for it is not for our justifications that we present our prayers before thy face, but for the multitude of thy tender mercies.
Daniel 9 is a chapter in which the prophet Daniel prayed to God for his people and confessed to the sins of Israel. He also received a view of an angel who explained to him about the future of Israel and the world. The topics covered in Daniel 9 include repentance, confession of sins, forgiveness and restoration.
Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices that please God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou shalt not despise." The psalmist David acknowledges that God is not pleased with material sacrifices, but a broken and contrite heart. This relates to the regret and confession of sins that Daniel made in his chapter.
Isaiah 55:7: "Faive the wicked your way, and the evil man his machines, he turns to the Lord, who will have mercy on Him; and to our God, who is rich in forgiving." Isaiah encourages people to abandon their bad ways and turn to the Lord, who is rich in forgiving. This relates to the request for forgiveness Daniel made in his prayer.
Joel 2:13: "Rise the heart and not the garments. Go back to the Lord, His God, for He is merciful and compassionate, very patient and full of love; repent, and do not send the misfortune." The prophet Joel encourages the people to truly repent, tearing their hearts instead of their clothes, and turning to the Lord. He also highlights the mercy and love of God, which is ready to forgive and prevent misfortune. This message resembles Daniel's prayer and the vision he received from God.
2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, which is called by my name, humble themselves, and pray, and seek me, and convert from their evil ways, then I will hear from the heavens, forgive their sins and heal your land. " The Lord speaks to Solomon and encourages the people of Israel to humble themselves, to pray, to seek God, and to become their evil ways. If you do this, God will hear and forgive your sins. This message relates to Daniel's prayer and vision, in which he intercedes for the people and asks for forgiveness.
Jeremiah 29:12-13: "Then you will invoke me, will pray to me, and I will hear them. You will seek me and find me when you look for me with all your heart." In this verse we see the importance of prayer and sincere pursuit of God. In Daniel 9, we see Daniel praying and seeking God with all our hearts, showing the importance of finding ourselves to God with sincerity.
“Esforce-se, mesmo se for um pouco, mas sempre…” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
