A Life Given to Prayer
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." (Daniel 6:10)
A new kingdom was in power but the same sinful nature was still in full operation. By God's grace, Daniel had been promoted to be one of the top governors of this new kingdom and had even distinguished himself above all the other princes of the Medo-Persian empire. But this time it was not the king but the men who served him that took issue with the integrity of Daniel's life.
Daniel was a man with an excellent spirit. However, his honorable character invoked a jealous spirit among the princes who began opposing Daniel's faith and the favor he received from the king. They joined forces and schemed up a plan to remove Daniel from his exalted position by manipulating the king to sign a written decree to throw anyone into a lion's den who prayed to any other god besides King Darius.
For the king, the decree flattered his ego. For Daniel, it threatened his life.
So what was Daniel suppose to do now? ...Complain? ...Panic? ...Come up with an escape plan or take vengeance on those who were opposing him?
What do you when life seems to be working against you?
When the going gets tough, the tough get...praying!
As Psalm 86:7 says "In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.
Daniel did what he alway did. He went home to get alone...and he prayed...and gave thanks before his God. This was nothing new for Daniel for he was a man who had given himself to prayer.
This habit of praying three times a day was something that started from his youth and these godly habits would serve him well in the difficult times later in his life.
King Solomon exhorted the people he ruled over to "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come..." (Eccles. 12:1)
Many godly men and women have suffered various forms of hostility, being persecuted or accused or plotted against. The enemy loves to set up his traps but God loves to "show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him" (2 Chron. 16:9).
When Daniel was faced with yet another trial, he had an already established prayer life that always steadied his heart and kept his mind and spirit at peace.
Just like David when he was in life threatening situation, with spears being thrown at him from the king, we see David encouraged himself through prayer and praise and crying out to God.
David prayed these words...
"Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me;
They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
They have also surrounded me with words of hatred,
And fought against me without a cause.
In return for my love they are my accusers,
But I GIVE MYSELF TO PRAYER." (Psalm 109:1-4)
Jesus did the same and took time to get away in solitary places to seek the Father and release any cares or burdens to be perfectly directed into the Father's will. This meant moving away from the busyness of life, the noise of the crowds, and the regular demands others placed on Him.
When we refuse to react to the external issues of life and prioritize prayer in the secret place, we position ourselves to realign with God's heart and to be filled with the fresh power and anointing of His Spirit who gives to each us timely revelation, heavenly wisdom, necessary guidance, correction and personal inspection. It is only when we cultivate quality time in private with God that we will activate our faith in public.
In other words, our intimacy with God leads to our influence with others.
Jesus taught this very important priority when He told His disciples how to pray in a way that would surely bring favor and blessing into your life. He taught, "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matt. 6:6).
To give yourself to prayer means to devote yourself wholeheartedly to consistently commune with God. It means making prayer the central focus and ongoing practice of our lives.
Let us learn to PRAY…
Discussion Questions for the Home Groups this week:
1. Share some of the ways that you naturally respond to crises and challenges in your life. Think of times where you had conflict or were being opposed by others. What did you do first?
2. What are ways you can increase or enhance your prayer life? Consider the points mentioned. Have you ever tried praying God's Word back to Him? Why do you think this would deepen your prayer life and communion with God?
3. Have you ever been so excited that you couldn’t wait to enter His Holy presence and talk with your heavenly Father? Share some breakthroughs you have experienced in prayer.
DANIEL CHALLENGE
Commit to praying three times daily to give thanks,
cast all your burdens, and believe Him for deliverance.
A new kingdom was in power but the same sinful nature was still in full operation. By God's grace, Daniel had been promoted to be one of the top governors of this new kingdom and had even distinguished himself above all the other princes of the Medo-Persian empire. But this time it was not the king but the men who served him that took issue with the integrity of Daniel's life.
Daniel was a man with an excellent spirit. However, his honorable character invoked a jealous spirit among the princes who began opposing Daniel's faith and the favor he received from the king. They joined forces and schemed up a plan to remove Daniel from his exalted position by manipulating the king to sign a written decree to throw anyone into a lion's den who prayed to any other god besides King Darius.
For the king, the decree flattered his ego. For Daniel, it threatened his life.
So what was Daniel suppose to do now? ...Complain? ...Panic? ...Come up with an escape plan or take vengeance on those who were opposing him?
What do you when life seems to be working against you?
When the going gets tough, the tough get...praying!
As Psalm 86:7 says "In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.
Daniel did what he alway did. He went home to get alone...and he prayed...and gave thanks before his God. This was nothing new for Daniel for he was a man who had given himself to prayer.
This habit of praying three times a day was something that started from his youth and these godly habits would serve him well in the difficult times later in his life.
King Solomon exhorted the people he ruled over to "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come..." (Eccles. 12:1)
Many godly men and women have suffered various forms of hostility, being persecuted or accused or plotted against. The enemy loves to set up his traps but God loves to "show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him" (2 Chron. 16:9).
When Daniel was faced with yet another trial, he had an already established prayer life that always steadied his heart and kept his mind and spirit at peace.
Just like David when he was in life threatening situation, with spears being thrown at him from the king, we see David encouraged himself through prayer and praise and crying out to God.
David prayed these words...
"Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me;
They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
They have also surrounded me with words of hatred,
And fought against me without a cause.
In return for my love they are my accusers,
But I GIVE MYSELF TO PRAYER." (Psalm 109:1-4)
Jesus did the same and took time to get away in solitary places to seek the Father and release any cares or burdens to be perfectly directed into the Father's will. This meant moving away from the busyness of life, the noise of the crowds, and the regular demands others placed on Him.
When we refuse to react to the external issues of life and prioritize prayer in the secret place, we position ourselves to realign with God's heart and to be filled with the fresh power and anointing of His Spirit who gives to each us timely revelation, heavenly wisdom, necessary guidance, correction and personal inspection. It is only when we cultivate quality time in private with God that we will activate our faith in public.
In other words, our intimacy with God leads to our influence with others.
Jesus taught this very important priority when He told His disciples how to pray in a way that would surely bring favor and blessing into your life. He taught, "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matt. 6:6).
To give yourself to prayer means to devote yourself wholeheartedly to consistently commune with God. It means making prayer the central focus and ongoing practice of our lives.
Let us learn to PRAY…
- Reverently…in God’s Name
- Responsively…from God’s Word
- Repeatedly…for God’s Glory
Discussion Questions for the Home Groups this week:
1. Share some of the ways that you naturally respond to crises and challenges in your life. Think of times where you had conflict or were being opposed by others. What did you do first?
2. What are ways you can increase or enhance your prayer life? Consider the points mentioned. Have you ever tried praying God's Word back to Him? Why do you think this would deepen your prayer life and communion with God?
3. Have you ever been so excited that you couldn’t wait to enter His Holy presence and talk with your heavenly Father? Share some breakthroughs you have experienced in prayer.
DANIEL CHALLENGE
Commit to praying three times daily to give thanks,
cast all your burdens, and believe Him for deliverance.
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