Daniel 9:3-6, “Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.”
Daniel knew that he needed to devote himself completely to God - so he began his prayer time with God by fasting, wearing sack cloth (burlap cloth) and his exposed flesh covered with ashes. All these are signs of humility, submission and obedience to God. As we begin this Lenten time we too come forward with fasting and ashes as a reminder that we must clear our hearts and minds of the distractions of daily life that cause us to turn away from God slightly or completely. When we are distracted from God we lose focus on what it is that God would have us do. Daniel teaches us again how we must approach our renewal by preparing our hearts to confess, receive forgiveness and repent – starting and our relationship with God and one another.
Prayer: Father I confess that I have not You and one another with my whole heart; I have not been faithful to Your church; I have not kept my covenant with You and with my neighbor another. Forgive me I pray in the Name of Jesus who saves me. AMEN.
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