7 key steps Daniel used for Scripture-based appeals and legal grounding in prayer

Unlocking Breakthrough Prayer: 7 Transformational Keys from Daniel’s Proven Example

Mentoring on The Courts of Heaven Replay 9/19/2023

Many believers struggle in prayer against invisible barriers, opposition and delays. We grow weary contending for breakthrough when answers seem elusive. If only we could gain deeper insight into how to pray prayers established on unshakable spiritual authority that demolish hindrances!

The prophet Daniel provides a powerful model for just that - crafting breakthrough prayers rooted in Scripture that overcome resistance. By examining 7 foundational principles Daniel exemplified, we can learn to pray appeals that unlock Heaven’s intervention against demonic opposition. Let’s explore in-depth how to apply these keys:

Principle 1: Pray According to God’s Revealed Will

The first vital key that empowered Daniel’s praying was intentionally aligning his petitions with God’s clearly revealed will in Scripture. 1 John 5:14 assures us: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

When our requests align with the principles, character nature, and promises God has already articulated in the Bible, our appeals instantly gain legal validity before Heaven’s court. As we petition aspects of God’s will that He has plainly stated in His Word, the Father is ready to fulfill His promises.

The Psalms reveal many facets of God’s will we can pray in agreement with, including: healing, protection, provision, restoration, justice, guidance, and deliverance from enemies. As we extensively read and internalize the Scriptures under Holy Spirit illumination, we gain greater wisdom in framing prayer requests that align with God’s heart. The Spirit will highlight relevant verses and themes affirming His will.

Daniel clearly understood this principle of praying God’s expressed will. In Daniel 9, while fervently interceding for Israel’s restoration from exile, Daniel quoted verbatim from the prophet Jeremiah, affirming: “The Lord brought on us the disaster he prepared, for the Lord our God is righteous in all he does” (Daniel 9:14).

By echoing Jeremiah’s words establishing God’s justice and righteousness in disciplining sin, Daniel gained powerful legal footing for pleading for merciful restoration. His prayer aligned with God’s blameless, holy character. When we affirm God’s nature and past actions that Scripture reveals, our appeals gain validity.

Short Prayer: “Father, teach me to pray in alignment with Your will expressed in Scripture. Help me petition the promises, principles, and facets of Your nature affirmed in the Bible. Grant me greater biblical wisdom by Your Spirit to pray Your will.”

Principle 2: Stand on God’s Covenant Promises

A second key strategy Daniel continually exhibited was standing firmly on the unconditional covenant promises God had made with Israel. A covenant represents a solemn, binding agreement that contractually obligates God to fulfill what He has pledged when we meet the stipulated conditions.

In Daniel 9 during his passionate prayer of corporate repentance for Israel’s pattern of sin before God, Daniel reminded the Lord of the everlasting covenant He had made with Abraham, Moses and David to bless, protect, and restore Israel:

"O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.” (Daniel 9:16-17)

Daniel referenced God’s covenant faithfulness in appealing for mercy. When we remind God of what Jesus accomplished at the cross, claiming the blessings Jesus purchased for us as part of the New Covenant in His blood, our appeals gain powerful legal validity before Heaven.

Proclaiming promises like Ephesians 1:4, that we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless, or 2 Corinthians 5:21, that Christ was made sin so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, powerfully substantiates our standing before God’s throne. Just as Daniel clung to covenant promises, we must learn to stand firmly on our covenant rights in Christ.

Short Prayer: “Lord Jesus, I claim Your shed blood purchased my redemption and reconciliation with the Father. I stand firmly on my covenant rights as a New Testament believer, including healing, deliverance, and restoration. Your promises are Yes and Amen!”

Principle 3: Proclaim Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled Over Your Situation

A third brilliant strategy Daniel applied that we must learn is boldly proclaiming already fulfilled Messianic prophecies when interceding. Messianic prophecies refer to Old Testament passages that promised the coming of the Messiah, the Anointed Savior, Jesus Christ.

In Daniel 9 during Daniel’s passionate appeal for Israel’s restoration, he reminded God of the prophecy given through Jeremiah that following 70 years of exile and captivity, God would forgive and restore Israel to their land. Daniel anchored his intercession in Jeremiah’s prophecy aligned with God’s will:

“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)

Rather than simply pleading his personal preferences, Daniel interceded according to the prophetic timing and will of God. When we align our prayers with Messianic prophecies about Jesus already fulfilled, such as His virgin birth, sinless life, atoning death for sin, and resurrection, our appeals gain credibility before heaven’s court.

Reminding God of His already proven track record of fulfilling prophecies about His Son undergirds our faith. We can boldly declare Scriptures like 1 Peter 2:24, “By His wounds you have been healed,” as finished realities because Jesus already secured these promises. Just as Daniel interceded prophecies over Israel, we must learn to proclaim fulfilled Messianic prophecies over our lives and nations.

Short Prayer: “Jesus, I proclaim You fulfilled every Messianic prophecy about the promised Savior - including being born of a virgin, living a sinless life, dying to redeem us, and rising victorious over death! You already purchased my healing and freedom! Let these realities manifest in my life now.”

Principle 4: Decree God’s Relevant Promises Over Your Situation

A fourth brilliant prayer strategy we must apply from Daniel’s example is boldly decreeing the specific promises of God tailored to our personal situations or desires. Decreeing involves proclaiming the Word in faith, not just wishful reciting.

We see Daniel powerfully employing this principle in Daniel 9 when he prays Jeremiah's prophecies over Israel, saying: “O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill” (Daniel 9:16).

He took the specific promise revealed through Jeremiah that God would restore Israel after 70 years in exile, and decreed it fervently over his nation. When we take God’s customized promises from Scripture for our lives or prayer needs and fervently decree them by faith, incredible breakthrough is released. The atmosphere shifts over us as holy alignment with God’s plans is established.

For example, if desiring victory over anxiety, we can decree truth passages like Philippians 4:6-7 or Isaiah 26:3 commanding peace and steadfast mind. If contending for healing, we can decree Psalm 103:2-5 or Isaiah 53:5, commanding disease to flee and health to be restored. Decreeing relevant scriptural promises adds Spirit-infused authority to our prayers.

Short Prayer: “Lord, I decree promises of divine protection from Psalm 91 over my family, declaring no weapon formed against us will prosper. I proclaim Isaiah 54:17 that no one can condemn us because You justify us. I decree provision promises from Your Word over my finances.”

Principle 5: Repent and Appeal to God’s Merciful Nature

A fifth vital principle modeled by Daniel is that alongside petition and decree, our prayers must align with God’s heart through repentance from sin and appeals for mercy based on His compassionate nature. Daniel did not arrogantly demand, but humbly repented and pleaded for mercy and forgiveness, saying:

“O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city...O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” (Daniel 9:16, 19)

Part of gaining legal right for breakthrough is sincerely confessing inadequacy and wrongdoing, while crying out for God’s compassion and gracious intervention. When we admit we have no standing before God based on our own righteousness, but fully submit to His loving Lordship, our appeals gain validity.

Repentance acknowledging our helpless state combined with grateful praise for Christ’s mercy and redemption aligns our prayers with truth. Rather than making demands, we plead the efficacy of Jesus’ atoning blood. As recipients of undeserved grace, we find bold access to God’s throne and answers.

Short Prayer: “Father, I come with a heart of humility and repentance for my sins and shortcomings. Though deserving Your judgment, I plead the mercy You have shown in Christ. Thank You for graciously intervening in my life not based on my merit, but the redeeming blood of Jesus.”

Principle 6: Petition for Breakthroughs Aligned with God’s Will

Another essential principle modeled in Daniel’s prayer is that our petitions must align with the kinds of breakthroughs and interventions Scripture reveals God is willing to grant. Daniel cried out for outcomes that harmonized with God's heart as expressed in His Word.

For example, asking God for loved ones' salvation has clear biblical validity based on verses like 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9, and Ezekiel 18:23 that tell us God desires all to come to repentance and provides ample opportunity for salvation. Asking for healing is affirmed by Psalm 103:2-5, Isaiah 53:5 and others about Christ purchasing health and restoration.

Daniel petitioned God to turn away His wrath and restore Israel to right relationship - requests aligned with God's compassionate, forgiving character seen throughout the Bible. When we petition God for breakthroughs His Word affirms He delights to give if asked according to His will, our prayers gain irrefutable legal validity.

Short Prayer: “Father, in alignment with Your will expressed in Scripture, I ask for freedom from bondages, household salvation, financial provision, and healing from diseases for myself and loved ones. Manifest Your power and victory in my life.”

Principle 7: Offer Thanksgivings for God’s Coming Breakthrough

The seventh and final principle modeled by Daniel is that even before witnessing God's intervention, Daniel lifted up passionate praise to thank God in advance for displaying His perfect faithfulness in responding. Daniel did not just make petitions - he fervently declared praises!

Daniel interjected doxologies throughout his appeal, saying "O Lord, You are righteous!....O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O my God, incline Your ear and hear!” (Daniel 9:7,18,19). He praised God's uncompromising justice, everlasting mercy, covenant fidelity and compassionate forgiveness.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs us to, “Give thanks in every circumstance.” When we offer thanks for God’s proven trustworthy character and guaranteed faithfulness before seeing the manifestation, it adds powerful legal validity to our prayers. Confidence in His track record of hearing and answering nurtures bold breakthrough faith.

Short Prayer: “Father, I offer You thanksgiving for Your proven faithfulness and covenant loyalty. Even though I have not yet seen the full breakthrough, I thank You ahead of time that Your promises are Yes and Amen. You will demonstrate Your mighty power on my behalf because You are God Almighty!”

In summary, as we study Daniel’s example, we gain eye-opening understanding of how to pray powerful prayers that allow no room for demonic delays or resistance. Applying these 7 biblical principles equips us to prevail through seasons of warfare and opposition. God eagerly responds when we intentionally ground our appeals in His Word and will. Let us wield these Spirit-inspired keys that unlock breakthrough!

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Pastor Tomlinson demonstrates principles in action by engaging volunteers:

Volunteer 1 - Rasheika

Rasheika reached out during the mentoring session because she was going through a painful divorce after believing God would restore her marriage. She had approached the courts of heaven before, but the divorce was still granted so she was questioning if she really hears God accurately. Rasheika shared she had been standing for restoration of her marriage since 2020 when they first separated, but then her husband filed for divorce which was just finalized that day without her knowing.

Pastor Tomlinson walked her through reconvening the courts of heaven, rebuking any demonic interference, and asking Jesus to reveal any unresolved issues that gave the enemy legal rights. Rasheika received confirmation from Jesus of emotions that needed healing like rejection and shame. She went through inner healing with the pastor, forgiving herself, her ex-husband, and releasing resentment. In the end, Rasheika heard Jesus say she was "not guilty" and to "hold on", giving her peace.

Rasheika took away that there are often layers of inner healing needed to find breakthrough in the courts of heaven. She realized it is a process requiring persistence to press through confusion and blockages. Rasheika felt encouraged to keep coming back to Jesus to heal any wounds that open legal doorways and hinder prayers.

Volunteer 2 - Norman

Norman reached out feeling tormented by demons and wanting freedom. He had been experiencing spiritual attacks including hearing voices tell him negative things about himself. Norman wanted to go through the courts of heaven process with Pastor Tomlinson's guidance to get breakthrough from the harassment.

The pastor led him through rebuking outside demonic interference and inviting Jesus to reveal any unresolved issues or open doors. After doing inner healing and repenting, Norman received confirmation from Jesus that he was forgiven and set free. He heard Jesus speak loving words of identity and value over him.

Norman gained understanding of using inner healing and the courts of heaven to evict demonic oppression and break free from torment. He took away keys for accessing Jesus' healing power by repenting of open doors and then receiving Christ's forgiveness and restoration. Norman was encouraged to keep his eyes on Jesus' verdict of freedom, not the enemy's lies.