Daniel was one of Israel’s greatest leaders. Forcibly deported from his home in Jerusalem when he was just a boy, Daniel was among those King Nebuchadnezzar took to live in Babylon. Daniel never saw his home again, spending the rest of his life as an exile. 
 
As an adolescent and young adult, Daniel distinguished himself as a brilliant scholar and remarkable leader. The king, it’s said, found Daniel ten times wiser than his closest and most trusted advisors. So, for the next 70 years, Daniel faithfully served a series of Babylonian and Persian kings.
 
But even more than his brilliance, Daniel was known for his integrity. His righteousness was legendary and his devotion to God, faultless. So when Daniel’s political opponents tried to get some dirt on him, their only option was to pass a law making it illegal to worship God. 
 
That’s what makes Daniel chapter 9 so surprising. It’s there that “righteous” Daniel prays: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name… We and our kings, our princes, and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you…  All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.” Then, he concludes: “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant… We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.”
 
Do you see what Daniel did? Even though he wasn’t personally responsible for the transgressions that led to Israel’s exile to Babylon, he took ownership for the sins of his nation. 
 
Our nation’s story includes the tragic stain of racial oppression. But the way many of us have been taught American history, there have been substantial gaps that have left us unaware of the difficulties faced by our black brothers and sisters. You see, slavery was part of the American experience almost from the beginning. And even when it was abolished in the early 1860s it simply morphed into the Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation in the southern United States. For centuries there hasn’t been a level playing field.
 
I wasn’t alive when these things happened. And my ancestors either lived in the North or in some cases, hadn’t even arrived in America. But as a white American, I have benefited from a system that oppressed blacks. That’s why I believe Daniel’s prayer models for me and for other white Christians the spirit of repentance and godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) we need to have to begin a process of reconciliation.  
 
I’d encourage you to watch a short video (17 minutes) that provides a great summary of the last 100 years of race in America. It was produced by Phil Vischer (creator of Veggie Tales) with content based on a class he taught a couple of years ago with his brother Rob, who attends City Church. I’m still learning, and praying…I hope you’ll join me on the journey.