Daniel 6:10-18
Prayer Life of Daniel
Greetings: The Lord is Good and his love endures forever. Prayer of Jesus, Power of Corporate Prayer, Prayer of Paul, now the prayer of Daniel.
Joke:
A man asked God, ‘What’s a million years to you, O Lord?’
God replied: A minute
The man asked: What a million rupees to you, O Lord?
God replied: one rupee
The man asked: O Lord give me one rupee?
God said: Surly but wait for a minute.(Adopted)
Introduction:
Daniel was a very young man probably in his mid-teens; when he was deported and worked in the palace. He continued till he was eighty years old. He believed in private and corporate prayers, and he valued night prayers and practiced them (2:17–19). Daniel prayed on his knees three times a day (Daniel 6:10, Psalm 55:17). Daniel was highly esteemed (Daniel 9:23, and Daniel 10:11). He had a place for private prayer, he had time to pray and he had a position in prayer. And He was a consistent man in prayer.
Though Babylon was not suitable for prayer, no temple was there, no synagogue existed during his time. He had his scripture. Even though the palace was surrounded by images and idols of the Babylonian gods and goddesses, he never missed his prayer time.
His prayer teaches us that he had advantages through prayer, he had adversaries through prayer and he administered the nations through prayer.
1. Daniel had advantages through Prayer
Daniel was a youth without defects, good-looking, handsome, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding, discerning knowledge, and the ability to serve in the King’s court and learned literature and language (Daniel 1:4) introduction on him.
He was a university student who decided not to defile himself with the food habits of the College mess which were messed up with ungodly and unholy things (Daniel 1:8). He had the favor and compassion of the Leaders (Daniel 1:9). Daniel understood all kinds of visions and dreams (Daniel 1:17). He was ten times better than all the magicians, equals and cognized who were in all his realm (Daniel 1:20).
He was very successful under three kings and Kingdoms (Daniel 6:28). Daniel always replied with discretion and discernment (Daniel 2:14). Daniel took his friends to all places and positions he was holding; he advocated their promotion (Daniel 2:49).
Daniel had the spirit of the holy Gods and it was testified by the higher authorities and kings in Power (Danie 4:8-9). Daniel had illumination, insight, and wisdom from above (Daniel 5:11). He had an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretations of dreams, explanations of enigmas, and solving difficult problems (Daniel 5:12).
He rejected the gifts and rewards from the wicked kings (Daniel 5:17). Daniel began distinguishing himself… because he had possessed an extraordinary Spirit (Daniel 6:3). He stopped the mouths of Lions (Hebrews 11:33). He was known as a righteous man (Ezekiel 14).
2. Daniel had adversaries through Prayer
Daniel 2 throws the danger of life extinct for Daniel and his friends. However, he never panicked, was confused, and did not fear the circumstances. Coffman comments ‘This was a wonderful way, and the only way, that the believer should confront every crisis in his life. Like these Hebrew companions, let the believer go down upon his knees in prayer whenever the issues of life and death are involved and where unaided human effort is doomed to futility.’(Coffman)
The prayer life of Daniel has brought not only advantages but even numerous adversaries. Enemies plotted against Daniel and tried to fix him. They tried to find a ground for accusations in regard to government affairs, but they could not find any ground for accusation, or evidence of corruption, in as much as he was faithful, and they could not establish even negligence in his duties (Daniel 6:4).
If you are a man/woman of prayer, you will be a faithful employee to the unfaithful employer. Your colleagues may work against you, they may hinder your progress and peace. But God of the heavens is with you.
According to Enduring word Commentary, when everything failed for his adversaries, Daniel was ‘confronted with a test of loyalties. He was a loyal subject of his king, yet he knew that the King of Kings deserved a higher loyalty. Daniel refused to give to the government the measure of obedience that belonged to God alone.’ (Enduring Word).
Then we can understand that Daniel was not a men pleaser. He never compromised his life principle for the sake of survival. His principle was not the survival of the fittest but purest. His prayer was not to impress others but to implant revival for the nations.
“Prayer and praise should always go up to heaven arm in arm, like twin angels walking up Jacob’s ladder, or like kindred aspirations soaring up to the Highest.” (Spurgeon).
Daniel was making petitions and supplications before God (Daniel 6:11). Daniel was innocent before God and the Kings. He never committed any crime (Daniel 6:22). Daniel trusted in His God (Daniel 6:23). He was thrown into the den of Lions to glorify God. God gives stability to the soul in crisis.
“Daniel slept in a lion's den, Peter slept in a prison, Jesus slept in a storm, no matter your circumstances you can sleep”(quoted)
3. Daniel administered nations through prayer
Daniel advanced in age and advanced in his prayer life. His prayer concerns changed. Daniel began to move from personal prayer to world, community, and international concerns and needs. Daniel teaches us that in every stage of life, we must be people of prayer.
Daniel read the prophecy (Jeremiah 25:8–11), and he moved to prayer (Daniel 9:1). His prayer was stuffed with Words of Prophecy and claims (Daniel 9:1-2). His prayer reflected his understanding of God (Daniel 2:20–23 and Daniel 9:1–19).
His prayer for 21 days had a clear structure and design for prayer. He read the word of God first and foremost. He understood the prophecy and its direction. He invoked God in prayer, he confessed for his nation and people, and he petitioned to God without ceasing for 21 days.
Daniel was fully convinced of the will of God and the interests of God for his redeemed people. His personal prayer was for the nations. His concern was to pray for God’s people and God’s kingdom.
Daniel sought the Lord in prayer and supplications with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes, prayed and confessed (Daniel 9:3-4). Danie mourned for the sins of his people for three weeks, and 21 days (Daniel 10:2). He knew the meanings of the scriptural passages of his times (Daniel 12:11-12).
“Daniel mortified his body in prayer as a token of his deep humiliation before God for his own sins, the sins of his people, and the sense he had of his unworthiness, when he prayed, he fasted, put on sackcloth, and lay in ashes, the more to affect himself with the desolations of Jerusalem, which he was praying for the repair of, and to make himself sensible that he was now about extraordinary work” (Matthew Henry)
He had the assurance from God through Angel Gabriel “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard” (Daniel 10:12). Daniel was a man greatly beloved (Daniel 9:23, 10:11, 10:19), not only because of his personal behavior but because of the prayer exercises that he carried day by day in Babylon whilst in captivity.
There were kings and princes, there were rulers and lawmakers for the nations. But Daniel became an admin of the international government as the man of prayer and power.
He administered the nations through his prayer. He knew the future of the nations for the generations to come. He has set an example for the prayer life of many to follow. His prayer life brought many revelations to humanity.
The title ‘God of heavens’ for God appears five times in this chapter (Daniel 2:18-19; Daniel 2:28; Daniel 2:37; Daniel 2:44) plus in Daniel 5:23; and nine times in Ezra; and four times in Nehemiah; and in Genesis 24:3; Genesis 24:7; Psalms 136:26; and Jonah 1:9. The Babylonians worshipped the heavens, but Yahweh is the God over all the heavens. He is sovereign over all (Constable).
Conclusion:
God has left with us a powerful tool called Prayer. We have advantages and blessings from using it.
