Daniel gives us a great blueprint for prayer during difficult times.

We can find six important principles for this in Daniel 9. In the last devotional, we looked at the first of those principles: We let God speak to us before we speak to him.

The second step to praying in a way God will answer during a time of crisis is to focus our attention on God and seek him.

Daniel did this in Daniel 9:3: “I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him” (ESV).

This is basic relationship advice that works beyond your relationship with God. You’ll improve any relationship in your life if you physically turn yourself toward the other person and focus on them when they talk to you. I’ve been married for more than 40 years. Whenever my wife talks with me, I turn my face toward her. She loves it, because she knows she has my undivided attention.

Turning your face toward someone shows attention. You can do this with God too. Physically, look up toward the sky. If you can, go outside and look into the heavens as you pray. You can make your whole body posture a sign to God that you are focused and ready to hear from him when you position yourself in humility.

Physically turning toward God is the first step in focusing on him and seeking him, which is vitally important during a crisis—and every other moment of our lives.

In Amos 5:4, God said, “Seek me and live” (NIV). You’re not really living unless you’re seeking God. 

God guarantees you success when you seek him. He says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me” (Proverbs 8:17 ISV).

Do you want to hear from God and have his help during a crisis? Then you need to pay attention to how you give your attention to God. Turn your face to him, and seek him with all your heart. That’s when you’ll know what it means to truly live.