Daniel 6:10-16
10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 12 So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”
“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”
13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”
14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.
15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”
16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”
To desire revival... and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion is to wish one way and walk another. — A.W. Tozer
I have a strange relationship with prayer. I sometimes wonder if prayer is the most important and impactful thing that we can do. It is our connection point with God and everything eternal that we do is embedded in prayer. Whenever I spend time in prayer, I always feel closer to God and go through my day with more peace and hope.
Yet, it doesn’t come naturally to me. I lose focus, I grow bored and I often don’t enjoy it. On the one hand, I believe prayer to be the most powerful tool in our arsenal and at the same time, I have to fight to pray. I am distracted by jobs, schedules, little kids who want my attention. Prayer always feels like a contended space.
I think that this is because prayer is not a neutral activity. It is not personal piety, it moves heaven and transforms earth. It also honours God. Daniel was forbidden to pray to God for 30 days and he was unable to do it. He refused to stop praying. He would rather risk death, than to separate himself from prayer and connection to his Heavenly Father. Prayer was a non-negotiable in his life.
Jesus taught us that prayer can be remarkably simple as well. He advised us to not spend time babbling or trying to sound impressive, after all God knows our hearts already. He said to quietly, simply tell God what is on our hearts and hear what is on his.
Here is a pattern used by 24-7 prayer that is really helpful that we can follow today.
Pause. Still yourself and find a place of quiet.
Remember. Take time thinking back and speak words of gratitude to God.
Ask. Ask God for anything that you need in your walk with him.
Yield. Submit to his will and way for your life.
Let’s pray
