A Life of Prayer
Daniel 6:6-10 (NIV)
So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing.
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Reflection
Daniel was known for having an excellent spirit and a good attitude. Isn’t it nice being in the company of others with these qualities?
How did they bring someone like this down, though? Daniel wasn’t perfect or without sin, as Jesus was, but he was a remarkable man of integrity. He was in his eighties during this time, so he had more than fifty years of public service at the highest of levels. His enemies dug for dirt on Daniel like aggressive moles after lawn grubs, but presumably they found nothing! We don’t hear of any fraudulent accounts, questionable deals, staff accusations, etc. Daniel was so faithful that others seemed to have found no holes in his armor. His enemies would have to connive in order to best him, so they forced a situation where his radical obedience to God would put him in trouble with the king.
Daniel was a highly respected and dedicated servant to the king, and he wanted to continue his public service, but he knew his obedience belonged to the King of Kings alone. When the law to worship only the king was passed, Daniel went home and prayed and gave thanks to God. This was his routine. He didn’t become a street corner preacher with a bullhorn, nor did he fearfully avoid prayer. He walked with God as he normally did.
Daniel had some pretty wonderful habits, too, and I know I will be thinking of these in my prayer life from here on out!
*He prayed privately in his upper room. He didn’t make a big show of things.
*He pointed himself toward Jerusalem. It was the capital of his hope.
*He demonstrated courage by praying, according to scripture, near an open window.
*He knelt and prayed three times per day. Jesus knelt, too. Praying on our knees is not very comfortable, so it helps us focus, strengthening our relationship with God.
*He prayed prayers of gratitude and thanks. God wants us to lay our burdens on Him, but great prayers are those of thanksgiving. Only offering sour prayers leaves us empty. Giving thanks fills our leaky tanks!
If I offer my own children this advice, it’s pertinent here as well: it is never too late or too impossible to have a life of prayer! Start now and develop godly routines. You will be able to draw on God’s Word and your relationship with Him during future, critical moments that are sure to come. Begin building your foundation on prayer today!
Action Steps
Read and contemplate commentary on Daniel’s prayer life. One such commentary is:
"Prayer Practices in Daniel." Bible Odyssey, www.bibleodyssey.org/articles/prayer-practices-in-daniel/
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray I develop better prayer behaviors that quickly evolve into a routine of thanksgiving unto You. Convict me when I get lazy or forget You, and strengthen my faith in You through prayer. I thank You for the hope I have in Your love and grace, without which, I would be no more than rust and dust. Amen.
So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing.
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Reflection
Daniel was known for having an excellent spirit and a good attitude. Isn’t it nice being in the company of others with these qualities?
How did they bring someone like this down, though? Daniel wasn’t perfect or without sin, as Jesus was, but he was a remarkable man of integrity. He was in his eighties during this time, so he had more than fifty years of public service at the highest of levels. His enemies dug for dirt on Daniel like aggressive moles after lawn grubs, but presumably they found nothing! We don’t hear of any fraudulent accounts, questionable deals, staff accusations, etc. Daniel was so faithful that others seemed to have found no holes in his armor. His enemies would have to connive in order to best him, so they forced a situation where his radical obedience to God would put him in trouble with the king.
Daniel was a highly respected and dedicated servant to the king, and he wanted to continue his public service, but he knew his obedience belonged to the King of Kings alone. When the law to worship only the king was passed, Daniel went home and prayed and gave thanks to God. This was his routine. He didn’t become a street corner preacher with a bullhorn, nor did he fearfully avoid prayer. He walked with God as he normally did.
Daniel had some pretty wonderful habits, too, and I know I will be thinking of these in my prayer life from here on out!
*He prayed privately in his upper room. He didn’t make a big show of things.
*He pointed himself toward Jerusalem. It was the capital of his hope.
*He demonstrated courage by praying, according to scripture, near an open window.
*He knelt and prayed three times per day. Jesus knelt, too. Praying on our knees is not very comfortable, so it helps us focus, strengthening our relationship with God.
*He prayed prayers of gratitude and thanks. God wants us to lay our burdens on Him, but great prayers are those of thanksgiving. Only offering sour prayers leaves us empty. Giving thanks fills our leaky tanks!
If I offer my own children this advice, it’s pertinent here as well: it is never too late or too impossible to have a life of prayer! Start now and develop godly routines. You will be able to draw on God’s Word and your relationship with Him during future, critical moments that are sure to come. Begin building your foundation on prayer today!
Action Steps
Read and contemplate commentary on Daniel’s prayer life. One such commentary is:
"Prayer Practices in Daniel." Bible Odyssey, www.bibleodyssey.org/articles/prayer-practices-in-daniel/
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray I develop better prayer behaviors that quickly evolve into a routine of thanksgiving unto You. Convict me when I get lazy or forget You, and strengthen my faith in You through prayer. I thank You for the hope I have in Your love and grace, without which, I would be no more than rust and dust. Amen.
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