Daniel 8 records a second vision given to Daniel, 2 years after the first.  It is similar to the first in its description of future events and it completely exhausted and sickened Daniel.  The power and wickedness of evil men who destroy "the holy people" is a frightening thing to contemplate.  Daniel saw the truth flung to the ground... he saw a powerful being who exalted himself and opposed God,  and it devastated him.

Daniel 9 takes place after the Medes and Persians conquer Babylon.  Under Darius, Daniel is brought back into a place of leadership.  It is during this time that he begins to seek after the Lord even more than he had before.  He wrote, " So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes."   Daniel read the prophecy written by Jeremiah that, " the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years."  Daniel had been in captivity around 66 years at that point.. he knew the time was coming soon and he was whole-heartedly committed to doing all he could do to hasten that day.   We know from chapter 6 that it was during this time that Daniel faithfully prayed 3 times a day.. even when he knew that he would be thrown into the lion's den!   Perhaps this is why Daniel refused to stop praying... God was about to restore Israel.. this was of much more importance than his own life.   He knew and was willing to lay down his life for the sake of the kingdom.

Daniel's prayer is such an example to us.  Here is Daniel, God's faithful servant and prophet... yet he prays, " Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly, and rebelled, even turning aside from Thy commandments and ordinances...." ( v4-5)
He goes on -
We haven't listened...
We have only shame..
We have been unfaithful..
We have sinned against You.
We have gotten what we deserved.

" O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For  Thine own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy name." ( v19)

Daniel receives an answer to his prayer of confession and supplication... as Gabriel is sent to instruct him.  What Daniel hears next goes well beyond anything he could have imagined..

Father in heaven, You are the great and awesome God who keeps Your covenant and loves us in spite of our shame and guilt, our unfaithfulness, and our sin.  Thank You for saving us, redeeming us with the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ the Lord.   O Lord, hear us, forgive us, and take action on behalf of Your church , Your people who are called by Your name. Bring us to repentance and revival.  May we be the light in our dark world.  May we publish the glad tidings of the gospel to a world in great need of hope.  May the truth of Your Word be lifted up and no longer flung to the ground.  Prepare us for the days ahead, O Lord, that we might stand firm in Christ no matter what happens.  We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.