Genesis
God desires a Creation that is filled with his glory with Humanity as his image governing and caring for it.
Humanity chooses against God
Humanity is EXILED out of the garden
God chooses Abraham to accomplish his creation goal
Chosen people in EXILE in Egypt

Exodus
God brings back his people from EXILE in Egypt
God gives Law and Covenant and promises to be with Israel in Tabernacle

Deuteronomy
Blessings and curses of EXILE in Covenant

Kings, Chronicles & Prophets
Israel warned against disobedience to God & Covenant
God permits destruction of Temple & Jerusalem
Israel in EXILE in Babylon

Story of Daniel begins in EXILE

People scattered
No Land
No Jerusalem
No Temple
Slaves
No identity
No purpose

They are in an IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously
Dan. 6:10
Opposition
Place for prayer
Perseverance in prayer
Window could be seen
Toward Jerusalem
1 Kings 8:48
if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name, then hear in heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause

Daniel perceived the situation from the "books"
Scripture
From God
Deuteronomy - gave him understanding
1 Kings - gave him method
Jeremiah - gave him hope

Invocation points to God
Confession points to self
Petition points to others

O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Daniel begins prayer focusing on God
• His majesty, his sovereignty
• His covenant love and promises

God is God of space, time and matter.

Daniel uses God's covenant name, Yavé (relationship)
1. God is Daniel's God and then Our God
2. God is covenant (promises)
3. God is committed to his covenant people -responsibility and accountable

Sin of Israel has placed them in EXILE

Dan. 9:5
we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened

6 synonyms for disobedience
1. Sinned
2. Done wrong
3. Wicked
4. Rebelled
5. Turned aside
6. Not listened

We do not deserve to be listened to

“O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”