98. Prayer For The Church.

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of they servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.. - Daniel 9:17.

THIS true-hearted man lived not for himself. Daniel was a fervent lover of his country.

He had been personally faithful, and in consequence he had been honored, but he did not rest content with personal ease.

He had visions of God, but he was not visionary.

He had searched and studied, but now he prayed. Supplication should ever be the outcome of our meditation.

His prayer is instructive to us.

It suggests our fervent entreaties for the church of God in these days.

I. THE HOLY PLACE. "Thy sanctuary."

The temple was typical, and for our edification we shall read the text as if the spiritual house had been meant. There are many points in the type worthy of notice, but these may suffice:

1. The temple was unique; and as there could only be one temple for Jehovah, so there is but one church.

2. The temple was "exceeding magnifical"; and in the eyes of God, and of holy beings, the church is the house of God's glory.

3. The temple was the fabric of wisdom. King Solomon built it; and of the church we may say, "a greater than Solomon is here."

4. The temple was the result of great cost and vast labor: so was the church builded by the Lord Jesus at a cost which can never be estimated.

5. The temple was the shrine of God's indwelling.

6. The temple was the place of his worship.

7. The temple was the throne of his power: his word went forth from Jerusalem; there he ruled his people, and routed his foes.

The church of Jesus Christ in the latter day shall be more accurately the anti-type of the temple, as the present church is of the tabernacle in the wilderness.

II. THE EARNEST PRAYER. "Cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate."

1. It rose above all selfishness. This was his one prayer, the center of all his prayers.

2. It was the child of thought (verse 2).

· He had thought over the sins, calamities, prospects of his people.

· Such prayers show the way in which a man's mind is running, and are more full of force than unprepared expressions.

3. It cast itself upon God. "O our God."

4. It was a confession that he could do nothing of himself. Honest men do not ask God to do what they can do themselves.

5. It asked a comprehensive boon. "Cause thy face to shine."

This would mean many things which we also implore for the church of God:

(1) Walls rebuilt and securely standing.

(2) Ministers in their places, faithful in their service.

(3) Worship presented with acceptance.

(4) Truth proclaimed in its clearness. God's face cannot shine upon falsehood or equivocation.

(5) Holiness displayed in its beauty. Where the holy God is smiling, his servants are holy.

(6) Delight in fellowship: the saints walking with God.

(7) Power in testimony. When God is pleased, his word is mighty, and all holy endeavors are prospered.

6. It asked needful things.

· For the church; unity, life, purity, power, joy, etc.

· For the world; enlightenment and conversion. A desolate church is a defeated church.

· For ourselves; edification. We cannot prosper in soul when Zion languishes.

· For our children; salvation. Our sons and daughters are not likely to be saved in a desolate church.

7. It asked with a mighty plea: "For the Lord's sake."

III. THE CONSISTENT CONDUCT. This is suggested by such a prayer.

1. Let us consider the state of Zion (verse 23). Let us form a careful estimate of the condition of true religion.

2. Let us lay it earnestly to heart. Whether for joy or sorrow, let the condition of the church concern us deeply.

3. Let us do all we can for her, or our prayer will be a mockery.

4. Let us do nothing to grieve the Lord; for all depends upon his smile. "Cause thy face to shine."

5. Let us pray much more than we have done. Let each one of us be a Daniel.