As I begin this post, I will admit that yesterday's Sunday School lesson lacked spiritual meat. I was really disappointed. Maybe the problem isn't with the lessons themselves as much as it is that I just want more. Any way, as I studied the lesson I began praying and searching. Whenever I read the Bible I try to focus on why did God lead me to read this passage.

I love to watch the program NCIS New Orleans. In this show, one of the characters will give assignments to his team and then dismiss them with the directions to "go learn something." This is my attitude when I read the Bible; I want to learn something.

The passage we read in Sunday School is found in Daniel 9. It is Daniel's prayer to God concerning his people and their exile in Babylon. He pleads for forgiveness. The thing in, Daniel had not turned his back on God. In fact, Daniel had been thrown in the lion's den because he would not stop praying to God. He repeatedly worshiped God and would not apologize for it.

As I read over and over this prayer, realizing Daniel was taking on the sin of his people, much like Jesus did, I came to realize that this is not just Daniel's prayer. In fact, with just a little rewording, I propose that this prayer is very relevant to what we are going through in the United States. So, below is my modern day interpretation of Daniel's prayer. It is the prayer that I plan to fervently pray daily for the United States.

Lord, you are a great and wonderful God. You keep the covenant you made with all those who love you and obey your commands. You show them your love.
(okay, let's pull over and park! This does not say He shows love to all. It doesn't say He makes all rich. What it does say is that if I love Him and walk in His righteousness, He will love me! Praise the Lord - who could ask for more!)
We have sinned and done what is wrong. We have been evil. We have refused to obey you. We have turned away from your commands and laws. We haven't listened to Your leaders, Your Words, or Your Holy Spirit. We are the people of the United States. All of us are Americans, no matter where we live. But we weren't faithful to you. Lord, we and our leaders, our pastors, our churches and people are covered in shame. We have sinned against you.
You are the Lord our God. You show us your tender love. You forgive us. But we have turned against you. You are the Lord our God. But we haven't obeyed you. We haven't kept the laws you gave us through your Holy Spirit, your written Word, your leaders. All the people of America have broken your law and turned away from it. We have refused to obey you.
We have paid the consequences of our disobedience. We have received nothing but trouble and it is our own fault, yet we continue to blame others and to blame you. You are the Lord our God. But we haven't asked for your favor. We haven't turned away from our sins. We've refused to pay attention to the laws you gave us. In fact, we are guilty of changing those laws to meet our own selfish needs. You always do what is right. But we have not obeyed you and then question why you have left us.
Lord, you made a name for yourself once in our fine country. But we have sinned. We have turned away from You. Forgive us, Lord. Hear my prayers. Pay attention to the appeals I make to you. Listen to us, Lord. We don't deserve your favor. We don't deserve your blessings but Lord, I ask that you would lavish them on us again even though we don't deserve them because you love us.
Lord, please listen! Please forgive! Please hear our prayers. Take action, Lord, and bring this nation to its knees before you in repentance. Bring a revival in this nation such as we have never seen. Do it for your glory!Amen!

If you are reading this, I give you a challenge. The same challenge I gave myself.
Remember that we are God's public relations agents. Our job is to make Him look good. How are you doing? When people see you do they see God? Begin each day asking God to help you be the best public relations agent for Him that you can be.

Now Go! Learn something and reflect Him well!