Prayer
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his
house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem,
he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks
before his God, as he did aforetime.
Daniel 6:10
Read Daniel 6:6-12
Daniel’s enemies thought of a devious plan which would enable them to
accuse him. They realized that in order to place him in a bad light, they
would have to focus on his prayer life. So they proposed a new law to the
king: Whoever asks anything from another deity or person besides the king
should be thrown to the lions. These men were certain that Daniel would
not refrain from praying to his God for the thirty days this law was in effect.
They were correct in this calculation.
In spite of the fact that this law was enacted, Daniel continued to pray to the
one true God. When his adversaries spied on him as he was in his room, they
witnessed him praying at his regular times. Each day, he set aside the same
three specific prayer times, for this was the most important activity in his life.
He could not live without prayer during the thirty days it was forbidden.
What place does prayer have in your life? Do you take time each day to seek
the Lord? You must take time to do this! A regular time for prayer is very
important. When an individual seeks God, they will pray to Him. Just as
you need oxygen to live, so you need time for prayer to experience a healthy
spiritual life.
Notice, Daniel does not take the attitude that for thirty days he’ll just refrain
from praying and afterwards faithfully take it up again. He continued to
pray, expecting everything from the Lord. He even prayed before an open
window in the direction of Jerusalem. Even though the holy city lay in ruins,
he earnestly pleaded that God would still graciously remember His people.
If your hope and expectations are upon the Lord, you will not be ashamed.
Thought: Prayer to God is the most lethal weapon a Christian has.
Psalter 72: 1,3 (based on Psalm 27)
Lord, hear me when I pray, And answer me in grace;
Oft as I hear Thee say, Come ye and seek My face,
My heart and lips their answer speak, Thy face, Jehovah, will I seek.
Teach me, O Lord, Thy way, Make plain to me My path;
Because of foes, I pray, Protect me from their wrath;
To false accusers, cruel foes, O Lord, do not my soul expose.
