Yes — Christians should follow Daniel's example by praying humbly, confessing sin, and depending entirely on God's mercy.
Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9 shows a man who identified with his people's sin, bowed in thanksgiving, and appealed not to his own righteousness but to God's great mercies. Les Feldick uses this to show that prayer is sincere communication with God, not a ritual or a way to earn His help. Because all that believers have is by grace, prayer is always grounded in mercy, never in personal merit.
Daniel 9:18 — This verse states Daniel's appeal was based on God's great mercies, not his own righteousness — the core principle of prayer.
Daniel 9:5 — This verse records Daniel's confession of sin on behalf of himself and Israel, showing the humble posture of prayer.
In Daniel 9, Daniel prayed to the Lord with confession and identification with his people. He began by addressing "O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments" (Daniel 9:4). Then he declared, "We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments" (Daniel 9:5). Daniel understood that Israel's captivity was the direct result of their rebellion against God's commands. Daniel did not plead his own righteousness. He prayed, "O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies" (Daniel 9:18). His appeal rested on the character and mercy of God, not on any merit of the people. Scripture here shows that the proper approach to prayer is humble confession, recognition of God's greatness, and complete dependence on His mercy rather than on human worth.
Les Feldick highlights Daniel as a young Jew in captivity, far from home in a pagan land, who still bowed his knees and gave thanks before God. Daniel's prayer on behalf of Israel was an acknowledgment of their sin, rebellion, and departure from God's precepts and judgments — the very reason they were in captivity. Les emphasizes that prayer is not about earning God's help. He points out that God's mercy has already been accomplished through Christ; believers do not need to "pray through" some obstacle. Every believer has what they have only by the grace of God, so prayer must be based on mercy, not on any personal accomplishment. Les also teaches that God wants to hear praise from our lips and that prayer should be made with understanding. When believers do not know how to pray, they can be quietly still and let the Holy Spirit intercede for them with groanings that cannot be uttered.
Daniel's prayer was a confession on behalf of himself and the nation of Israel. He said, "We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments" (Daniel 9:5). He did not present his supplications on the basis of their righteousness but on the basis of God's great mercies (Daniel 9:18). The prayer acknowledged that Israel's captivity was caused by their own rebellion and sin.
Les Feldick describes Daniel as a young Jew in captivity, out of his homeland in a pagan land, yet able to bow his knees and give thanks before his God. Les uses Daniel's prayer to show that even in difficult circumstances, a believer can pray with a grateful heart and can intercede on behalf of others. Daniel's confession was not merely personal; he identified with his people's rebellion and departure from God's precepts and judgments.
Scripture shows Daniel praying, "for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies" (Daniel 9:18). Les Feldick reinforces this truth by saying that we approach God "by the mercies of God — not because we deserve it, but because of God's grace, His mercy." He also notes that every believer has what they have only by the grace of God, so there is no room for boasting in ourselves before Him.
Les Feldick directly rejects the idea that a person must "pray through" some difficulty or suffering in order to approach God. He explains, "There is nothing to pray through. It's all been done." He pictures the door to the sheepfold as ground level — not up in an unattainable place. Christ's mercy has already been accomplished, so believers do not have to beg for it.
Les Feldick points to the Apostle Paul's statement, "I will pray with the Spirit... and I will pray with understanding" (1 Corinthians 14:15). Les asks why anyone would talk to God in a language they do not understand. He also teaches that when a believer does not know what to pray for, they should be quiet and let the Holy Spirit make intercession with groanings that cannot be uttered — and this is not necessarily a tongues experience.
Les Feldick says that what God demands first is a heart of thanksgiving. Daniel bowed his knees and gave thanks before his God even while in captivity. Les also teaches that God wants to hear praise from our lips and that prayer is the whole idea of communicating with Him. Thanksgiving, not repetition, should characterize a believer's approach to prayer.
Daniel's Prayer of Confession and Thanksgiving
Les shows Daniel, a captive in a pagan land, bowing in thanksgiving and praying on behalf of Israel, confessing their sin and rebellion.
Prayer Pattern from the Disciples' Prayer
Les explains that the disciples' prayer is a pattern showing how to give God His due when approaching the throne room, even under grace.
No Need to Pray Through
Les teaches that Christ's mercy has already been accomplished, so believers do not need to 'pray through' obstacles to reach God.
God Wants Praise from Our Lips
Les says God wants to hear praise and thanksgiving from believers' lips, and prayer is how we communicate with Him.
All We Have Is by Grace
Les reminds believers that we are what we are only by God's grace, so we cannot boast in ourselves when we approach Him.
Pray with Understanding
Les explains Paul's teaching about praying with understanding, saying it is pointless to talk to God in a language you do not understand.
The Holy Spirit Intercedes
Les says when we don't know how to pray, we can be still and let the Holy Spirit intercede with unutterable groanings.
Approach by God's Mercies
Les emphasizes that we approach God by His mercies, not because we deserve it, which mirrors Daniel's prayer for great mercies.
Daniel 9:4: And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
This verse introduces Daniel's prayer and emphasizes the greatness of God and His mercy.
Daniel 9:5: We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:
Daniel confesses sin on behalf of himself and Israel, showing the humble posture required in prayer.
Daniel 9:18: O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
This verse is the foundation of Daniel's prayer — appeal is made to God's mercy, not human righteousness.
No. Daniel's prayer is a recorded example, not a script to repeat. Les Feldick shows that the disciples' prayer is a pattern, not a requirement to use exact words. The principles — confession, thanksgiving, and appeal to God's mercy — carry over to believers today.
Les said, "There is nothing to pray through. It's all been done." He explained that Christ's mercy has already been accomplished and the door to the sheepfold is at ground level, so believers do not have to beg for mercy through human effort.
Les Feldick points to Paul's statement about praying with understanding. He questions the value of talking to God in a language you do not understand, saying there is nothing in Scripture indicating that God expects people to do that.
Daniel's prayer is built on confession of sin — "We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled" (Daniel 9:5). He identified with his people's rebellion because that was why they were in captivity.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Says Pray About Everything — Philippians 4:6-7