Daniel's example of prayer and confession is given for our instruction and encouragement. For nearly seventy years, Israel had been in captivity. The land which God had chosen for his own possession was given into the hands of the heathen. The beloved city, the recipient of heaven's light, once the joy of the whole earth, was now despised and degraded. The temple that had contained the ark of God's covenant and the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, was in ruins. Its very site was desecrated by unholy feet. Faithful men who knew of the former glory were filled with anguish at the desolation of the holy house that had distinguished Israel as God's chosen people. These men had been witnesses to the denunciations of God because of the sins of his people. They had been witnesses to the fulfilment of this word. They had been witnesses also to the promises of his favor if Israel would return to God, and walk circumspectly before him. Aged, gray-headed pilgrims went up to Jerusalem to pray amid its ruins. They kissed its stones, and wet them with their tears, as they entreated the Lord to have mercy on Zion, and cover her with the glory of his righteousness. Daniel knew that the appointed time for Israel's captivity was nearly ended; but he did not feel that because God had promised to deliver them, they themselves had no part to act. With fasting and contrition he sought the Lord, confessing his own sins and the sins of the people.

Vi har fået Daniels bøn og bekendelse som et forbillede til vor belæring og opmuntring. I henved halvfjerds år, havde Israel været i fangenskab. Det land som Gud havde udvalgt til sin ejendom var givet i hedningenes hænder. Den elskede by, der modtager himlens lys, tidligere hele jordens glæde, blev nu foragtet og nedgraderet. Templet som indeholdt Guds pagts ark og herlighedens keruber overskyggede nådestolen, var i ruiner. Hele dette sted blev vanhelliget af uhellige fødder. Trofaste mennesker som kendte til tidligere tiders herlighed fyldtes med sjælspine over det hellige hus ødelæggelse som havde udskilt Israels som Guds udvalgte folk. Disse har været vidne til Guds anklager på grund af hans folks synder. De har været vidne til opfyldelsen af dette ord. De har også været vidne til løfterne for hans gunst, hvis Israel ville vende tilbage til Gud. og vandre velovervejet for ham. Aldrende, gråhårede pilgrimme tog op til Jerusalem og at bede iblandt dens ruiner. De kysede dens stene, og grad over dem, under tårer, idet de bønfaldte Herren om ag have barmhjertighed over Zion, og dække hende med hans retfærdighedsglans. Daniel vidste, at den fastsatte tid for Israels fangenskab næsten var til ende, men han havde ikke den følelse, at fordi Gud havde lovet at udfri dem, skulle de ikke gøre noget selv. Med faste og anger søgte han til Gud og bekendte sine egne og folkets synder.