17 “But now, our God, listen to your servant’s prayer and pleas for help. Shine your face on your ruined sanctuary, for your own sake, my Lord. 18 Open your ears, my God, and listen! Open your eyes and look at our devastation. Look at the city called by your name! We pray our prayers for help to you, not because of any righteous acts of ours but because of your great compassion. 19 My Lord, listen! My Lord, forgive! My Lord, pay attention and act! Don’t delay! My God, do all this for your own sake, because your city and your people are called by your name.
Reflection
This is not a very familiar book of the Bible for most people. One must read it with the understanding that it is a special and unique style of literature. It is not meant to be read as history but rather as apocalyptic literature. Daniel is portrayed as a Jewish exile in Babylon set in the 6 th century BCE while Daniel lived in, and the book originated in the 4 th or 3 rd BCE. The main message of the book of Daniel is God’s sovereignty over history and human kingdoms, and the ultimate triumph of God’s everlasting Kin(g)dom. It assures readers that God is in control of all events, and despite the suffering and oppression of God’s people, God’s ultimate victory and justice are assured. The book was originally written with some sections in Hebrew and others in Aramaic. The specific passage we are reading today is part
of a prayer that was originally penned in Hebrew, probably during the reign of Antiochus in the 6 th century BCE while the Jews were in exile in Babylon.
As I reflected on our passage, I searched through various translations and was drawn to verse 9:18 in the Good News translation 18 Listen to us, O God; look at us and see the trouble we are in and the suffering of the city that bears your name. We are praying to you because you are merciful, not because we have done right. It is never about us, about what we have done or not done. It is because God is merciful, not because of anything we have done. As we study the Bible, we find countless stories of God’s faithfulness and the love of Jesus the Christ for the
widow, the stranger, the orphan, all those who are considered by society as “the other.” Throughout the ages, all children of God have learned that God is merciful and compassionate. There is always room in God’s loving embrace for everyone who bows down before God and asks for God’s forgiveness.
by Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering and Prayer
Looking back, I know that God was at work throughout my career. I was God’s instrument, God’s tool. I was called to ministry beyond the local church as an ordained United Methodist Deacon. I was never guaranteed an appointment and each year I prayed that the Cabinet would bless me with a position. I loved every ministry opportunity I received. I trust that the body of Christ grew with each unique position. In the same way Pastor Joe preached on Sunday about “making room by cleaning our closets” I realize now that each position prepared me and made room for the next, which was the Holy Spirit at work. Thanks to God, I was given challenges that guided my growth and the growth in the body of Christ.
As you reflect on your life, how has God blessed you and those you have served?
Prayer: Good and Gracious God, I know that every step I have taken has been guided by your love, your mercy, and your grace. My ego wants to applaud my success, but my trust and faith in you reminds me that any success I have had is totally a gift orchestrated by you. For all the twists and turns, the blessings and the bumps, the challenges and the countless people that have made me the person I am today, with deep humility, I give you thanks. Amen.
