Daniel's prayer

Daniel's prayer continued... Daniel 9:5 Before we look at the stark simplicity of this verse, I want us to be aware, sin's effect is both immediate and cumulative. Immediate because it puts us outside of the will of God and cumulative because we reap what we sow. Israel's Babylonian captivity did not happen because of any one, great sin. Rather, disobedience to God and walking away from the covenant had become a lifestyle. Prophets warned repeatedly, the priests were carrying out their functions, but the people wouldn't change, would not repent. Finally, God had enough. The covering of blessings lifted and the promised judgement fell. Babylon swooped in and decimated the nation. A free, vibrant, prosperous, and proud people found themselves enslaved to a foreign nation. It all started when God's people turned their backs on him. So, In the 1st year of captivity, Daniel prayed: "We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws..." No excuses. No rationalizing. Can we be as honest and just call our present dilemma what it is when we pray?