A Prayer That Is Centered

Editor's Note: Enjoy this excerpt from beloved author Anne Graham Lotz (called the “best preacher in the family” by her father Reverend Billy Graham). The Daniel Prayer is based off the prayer of Daniel, who prayed on behalf of his nation, Judah, which had come under God’s judgment. Today, Lotz continues to utilize the Daniel prayer model to encourage, equip and engage readers in effective, passionate prayer.

“Nothing will turn our nation around except prayer. Heartfelt, desperate prayer. Prayer where the pray-ers rend their hearts, return to the Cross, and repent of personal and national sin. Only prayer that moves Heaven can change a nation. And that’s the Daniel Prayer,” said Lotz.

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in Heaven... At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in Heaven with someone sitting on it. — Revelation 4:1-2

Enthroned Living Lord...

Everything revolves around You. Everything. We worship You as...

the Center-point of the Universe,

the Center-point of time and space,

the Center-point of history,

the Center-point of life, meaning, and purpose today,

the Center-point of all of our tomorrows,

the Center-point of prayer.

You are the Center-point.

Period.

Nothing really matters except Your will and Your wants and Your way and Your Word. How could we have become so out of focus?

Our distorted perspective is rooted in our hearts, twisted in our minds, then reflected in our prayers. Because...

What we have wanted seems so vital,

What we have thought seems so critical,

What we have felt seems so crucial,

What we have said sounds so spiritual,

We seem to be consumed with ourselves!

We ourselves seem to be the center-point as we pray. We are so ashamed. In the light of who You are, we now get it. We understand that it’s what You want that is vital, what You think that is so critical, what You feel that is crucial, what You say is the wisdom of the ages expressed in unvarnished, eternal truth. 

How could we have set ourselves up as gods, and expected You to fall in line with us? We’re so sorry for spending the majority of our prayers thanking You for what You have done for us, and asking You to do something else for us, as though You exist for our personal benefit.

We choose now to make You the Center-point of our lives and of our prayers.

We want what You want more than what we want. What You think matters more to us than what anyone else thinks, including ourselves. We want to feel Your heart and speak Your word to a world that desperately needs a Center-point.

Now, in the privacy of this place, with utmost sincerity, necessity, and humility, we plead with You for what You have purposed to give, for what You have wanted to do, for what You have promised to fulfill in Your Word. We want Your kingdom to come, Your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We want to be a part of what You are doing... to come alongside You as You accomplish Your perfect plan.

We believe You will hear and answer us because . . .

...We come to You in the name of Your “Son, whom [You have] appointed heir of all things.” (Hebrews 11:1)

...We come to You in the name of the One by whom “all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17)

...We come to You in the name of the One who is the radiance of Your glory, the exact representation of Your being. (Hebrews 1:3)

...We come to You in the name of the One who sustains all things by His powerful word. (Hebrews 1:3)

...We come to You in the name of the Creator who became our Savior and who has ascended into Heaven to sit at Your right hand, with all authority placed under His feet. (Ephesians 1:20-23)

...We come to You humbly, yet boldly, because we have been invited to come. (Matthew 11:28-29; John 14:13-14)

...We come to You with confidence because the way has been opened for us by the blood of Your Son who sits at Your right hand, who is in authority over all. (Hebrews 10:19)

...We come to You with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith that You will receive us, You will listen to us, and You will answer us. (Hebrews 10:22)

Because we come to You in the name of JESUS.

For the glory of Your Name. Amen

Credit: Anne Graham Lotz.