* To thrive like Daniel in today’s Babylon, we need:

* Conviction that transforms our heart.

* Commitments that transform our lifestyle.

* Courage that transforms our world.

* In order for these to happen, we need a vibrant prayer life.

* Vs 1-4 - Daniel was reading Scripture and discovered God’s plan for the people.

* This put him on a prayer and fasting path that led to visions of the future.

* As we look at his prayers, we see three topics emerge:

* 1) Repentance - this is always the foundation if you want to get God’s attention.

* Personal - get specific with your own issues (not just general).

* Corporate (national) - pray for your culture (“make disciples of NATIONS”).

* 2) Revival - bringing that which is dead back to life.

* Renew your personal commitment to God.

* Reengage Him with your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

* 3) Reformation - to bring “back to form.”

* God has a form for individuals and nations (communities). How?

* It all depends on how we handle truth publicly.

* When a bad idea (against God’s ways) presents itself, we have two options:

* 1) Go with the new idea (often by our silence in opposition).

* We reconcile God’s Word with the new idea so they can get along.

* It never works.

* 2) Resist the new idea by presenting the truth.

* We restate, reaffirm, and reapply God’s Word and we refuse to bend.

* This will only be done when reverence is the goal, not relevance.

* For true change to take place, we need all three.

* How did Daniel learn to pray like this?

* Look at 1 Kings 8:46-51 - he literally prayed the same way Solomon did!

* And we can too!