Daniel was taken from his homeland of Israel by the Babylonians as a young man and ended up serving as a high government official in two world empires.  He was a godly man who was highly respected by those he worked for.  Jeremiah prophesied just before Jerusalem was destroyed by Babylon, and he prophesied that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.  "For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and cause you to return  to this place [Jerusalem]" (Jeremiah 29:10)

One day Daniel was reading his Bible, in the book of Jeremiah.  This is one thing we would expect a godly man like Daniel to do.  In fact, all of us need to have a habit of daily Bible reading.  How much do you read your Bible?  Most will say they need to do it more than they do.  Daniel was fascinated to learn from his reading that the desolation of Jerusalem was temporary, and that the passage seemed to be saying that the city would be rebuilt after seventy years.  Daniel, who was now an old man, realized that the seventy years was almost finished.  It was at this time that he got on his knees to pray to God to receive understanding of this exciting prophecy.

The prayer of Daniel was answered by God, and it is important to look at Daniel and his prayer to determine why the prayer was answered, so we can pray prayers that God will answer. 

The prayer is found in the ninth chapter of Daniel.  The fourth verse teaches us that answered prayers are prayed to God.  Every prayer in the Bible is prayed to God and no one else.  There is no command or example of prayer to Jesus, angels, saints or ancestors.  In the same verse, we learn that answered prayer involves praise and glorification of God.  He deserves our praise, and we should give it to Him freely.

Daniel then gave an extended oration (vs. 5-16) confessing and repenting of the sins of the people of Israel.  He knew that their sins had caused Jerusalem to be destroyed and that if it was to be restored, they needed to be forgiven.  Repentance involves three things.  First, it involves acknowledging of sin, admitting that one has done wrong.   Next, it involves having sorrow for the sin.  Many enjoy their sin and have no sorrow.  Others have sorrow only when they get caught.  Last, repentance involves a determination to change one's life.  This is where many stumble, because they are unwilling to change their life style to please God.

The next aspect of Daniel's prayer was that he prayed sincerely about his immediate concern, which was understanding the prophecy of Jeremiah about the rebuilding of Jerusalem. (v. 19)

The next thing that caused Daniel's prayer to be answered was not the content of the prayer, but the character of the one who prayed it.  When the prayer began to be answered, Daniel was told, "You are greatly beloved." (v. 23)  The reason he was loved by God was that he was faithful and obedient to Him at all times.  The Bible makes it clear that only the obedient will have their prayers answered.  "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." (I John 3:22)  "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (I Peter 3:12)  It is foolish for a person to expect to have his prayer answered if there is disobedience to God in his life.