Confessing Together

When adversity strikes, our natural instinct is often to look outward and point fingers. If only others hadn’t made mistakes. If only circumstances were different. But Daniel gives us a powerful example in his prayer from Daniel 9. As he cries out to God on behalf of his people, he doesn’t distance himself from their sin. Instead, he humbly includes himself, saying, “We have sinned.”

“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
– Daniel 9:19 NKJV

This humility and shared responsibility is remarkable. Daniel was a righteous man, faithful to God even in exile. Yet, he didn’t separate himself from his people’s need for repentance. He recognized that healing and restoration begin with honest confession—not just of individual sin but also of communal brokenness.

When we confess with humility and unity, we open the door for God’s mercy to flow into our lives and communities.

How often do we pause to say, “Lord, forgive us” rather than “Lord, forgive them?” In a culture that emphasizes individuality, it’s easy to focus only on personal accountability. But Daniel teaches us the importance of standing in the gap for others, acknowledging our shared need for God’s mercy. This isn’t about blaming ourselves for what others have done but about recognizing that sin affects us all, and we’re called to seek God’s forgiveness as a community.

Confession opens the door to renewal. When we humble ourselves before God, He promises to respond with compassion and restoration. Whether in your family, church, or nation, you can be the one who leads with humility, bringing others to the feet of Jesus in repentance and hope.

Today’s One Thing
Pray right now for your family, church, or community. Ask God to reveal areas where collective repentance is needed. Begin your prayer with the pronoun “we” as Daniel did, acknowledging your shared need for God’s forgiveness and guidance.

Go Deeper

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