We hear the phrase, “Peace on Earth” a lot this time of year, and for good reason. Who doesn’t long for peace? Peace between nations, peace in our cities, in our homes. Peace in our hearts. But how much do we want it, really? I was reading in Daniel 9 this morning– he had received Jeremiah’s prophesy that Jerusalem’s exile would last 70 years. The time of God’s judgment was coming to an end. Yet his response was to pray and fast for days! He cried out to God to fulfill His promises–knowing that only our Sovereign God could accomplish what he longed for.
It made me think– how passionate and persistent are my prayers? Do I call out to God from the depths of my heart, day after day? All too often, I treat prayer as a duty to be accomplished, rather than a battle to be fought. God, today I ask to be infused with a deeper longing– stronger passion that will lead to more dedicated prayer.
