Can one person’s prayer make a difference? Yes!

And the reason is, that not only does God’s Word promise, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16), but also, prayer done in belief recognizes God is the source of power, not our merits, flowery words or manipulation of God.

Daniel believed not only in God, but in His power to hear and answer prayer. In Chapter 9, Daniel makes intercession for prayer for his people, and a whole nation is impacted by one man’s prayer.

Take a close look at Daniel’s prayer (vv4-19) and use his prayer as a model for your prayers.

Notice he begins with praise of God (v.4) moving to confession (vv. 5-15) and finally making his petition known in (vv. 16-19). Daniel isn’t treating prayer as many today do, like a bargaining time with God, because he knows his hope rests not in what he has to
offer God, but in God Himself.

When does prayer make the most difference? When we put our hope in God Himself, not in what we want Him to do.

Your prayers can make a difference like Daniel’s when you make your prayers about God Himself. "O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." (Daniel 9:19)

Dr. William Burnham is pastor of Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.