Daniel 9:3

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

From Background Notes [BN] for February 11^th/12^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

We have to assume that Daniel was a careful reader of Jeremiah, and therefore he knew that the exile was due to Israel’s grievous sins against God.

Daniel 9:1-2

In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.

From Background Notes [BN] for February 11^th/12^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Reading Scripture prompted Daniel to pray. This is an important observation from the text.

Romans 11:2-4

God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah-- how he appealed to God against Israel: "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” (zebub)

From Background Notes [BN] for February 11^th/12^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

God’s answer did not accept the premises of Elijah’s request, namely, that he was the only righteous man left in Israel.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

From Background Notes [BN] for February 11^th/12^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Such a variety of “call” and “answer” language tells us that God’s response to what we ask is not easily scripted or predicted.

Ezra 10:1

While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly.

From Background Notes [BN] for February 4^th/5^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

This is a moving portrait of a faithful high priest, interceding for God’s people…

Ezra 9:15

LORD, the God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.

From Background Notes [BN] for February 4^th/5^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

His prayer of intercession appeals to the righteousness of God — that dynamic quality in God that wants to make things right once again, and not leave, in this case, His broken people, yet a broken people.

Ezra 9:10

But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands…
 
From Background Notes [BN] for February 4^th/5^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

This intercession begins with real contrition. That’s a good word to use in conjunction with certain forms of intercession. To be contrite is to show remorse for sins committed.