Prayer Journal
Thursday, August 17, 2000
"Three times a day he (Daniel) got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Dan 6:10b
Daniel was a man of God. He had a virtuous reputation among the people and a fervor to seek God's presence in time of prayer. It was said he was trustworthy and was neither corrupt nor negligent (6:4). But, that didn't please everyone. His peers sought to take Daniel down a notch or two by accusing him of treason before their king.
In spite of their threats, Daniel persisted in praying visibly in the open window of an upstairs room - in plain sight of everyone - several times a day! Daniel was not ignorant of the new law designed to trap him. On the other hand, when he learned of it, he went home and immediately proceeded to his upper window, looked toward his beloved Jerusalem and asked God for help.
We should be reminded of three friends who had earlier been thrown into a blazing furnace for similar "crimes". When asked to deny their faith before their punishment, they responded with a great statement of faith. They did not pray for deliverance alone, but from the strength of their conviction, they said: "Our God is able to save us, O king, and He WILL rescue us from your hand. But even if he does not, we will not serve your gods." (3:17,18)
An old adage says, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going!" Here then, is how Daniel displayed his character when things got "tough":
- He predetermined when, where and how he would pray in advance
- He was not afraid for others to see his dependence on God
- He gave thanks and cried out for help.
- He reverenced the things of God (praying toward Jerusalem)
- He did not "conceal" his profession of faith
- His conviction was stronger than a momentary threat.
- When in trouble, he "turned it up a notch"
"Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I seek what is good. O Lord, do not forsake me.; be not far from from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior." Ps 38:20,21
Daniel could have prayed this prayer, but this was actually David's prayer offered many years earlier. One thing is true however; either "great minds think alike" or, "great men think on their knees." Just Thinkin'.. WebServant
(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
