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Daniel 9:3
ESV Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
NIV So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.
NASB So I gave my attention to the Lord God, to seek Him by prayer and pleading, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
CSB So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
NLT So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.
KJV And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
NKJV Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

What does Daniel 9:3 mean?

After reading prophecies concerning Jerusalem's suffering, Daniel sought the Lord's will. That he "turned his face" to God means he put aside every concern and interest except seeking the Lord in prayer. Daniel pleads with the Lord for mercy on behalf of Israel. He demonstrates humility and sincerity by fasting and by putting on rough clothing and covering himself with ashes. These signs were meant to lower a person, as external signs of a humble spirit. He set aside meals to devote himself to prayer.

Following the Lord's promise to restore the exiled Jews to their homeland (Jeremiah 29:10–11), He added the promise of answered prayer in response to fervent requests. He declared, "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:12–13). Daniel connects the end of Babylon with the restoration of his people to Jerusalem, and so he prays with intensity that this would be the case.
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