PRAYER-DANIEL’S SECRET STRENGTH IN CONFLICT AND VICTORY. 6:10

What was the secret of this extraordinary prime minister of a heathen nation, whose capital was Babylon? He outlived four kings and was in his ninth decade. When young, he survived the rigorous dietary test in rejecting the king’s spiced meat and wine. He had seen his contemporaries tempted to cow-tow to the heathen golden idol and suffer the fire of the infuriated king. And had seen the Son of God (the Angel) powerfully deliver these men, unharmed, not even singed with the flame.

Daniel learned to pray; drawing on the powerful Presence of the eternal God. Recently the president of Rwanda had been visited by Rick Warren pastor of Saddleback church and author of No 1 book, the spirit- directed life. Bible and prayer would have occupied that hour. The US president, George W. Bush had consulted with Chinese intellectuals, men of strong faith in out Lord Jesus Christ. The president prayed, and each Chinese leader followed. Great Godly example.

When King Belshazzar was slain, Darius, the Mede, succeeded him, wisely preferring Daniel as supreme commander over the 120 lieutenants. ’Then Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and lieutenants, because an excellent spirit was in him. Of course, the Holy Spirit filled him. And the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. The governors and lieutenants sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but there was no valid charge or fault. ‘He was faithful; nor was any error or fault in him. (6:4) We shall not find any charge against this Daniel except we find it concerning the law of his God.’

Jealous, envious men plotted Daniel’s downfall. ’Whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you O King, (toadying to royalty) shall be cast into the den of lions.’ (v7) ’King Darius caved in - and signed the decree.’ Oh, for men of noble character in high places. Would this stop Daniel praying- would it suppress his faith in his omnipotent Lord? Not on your life! Martyrs cherish this record.

‘When Daniel knew the writing was signed, he went home.’ (v10) Why home? Presumably a beloved wife greeted him on his return. Why are you so shocked? Are you sick, my dear Daniel? Were children or grandchildren waiting to comfort their beloved aging father? Only eternity will tell. Many times I have returned to a beloved wife and children, being comforted with womanly and childlike prayer.

Straight to his prayer room. ’In his upper room, with his windows open towards Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.’ (v1) Praise the Lord for such audacity. Jerusalem was always on his heart; the temple had been there until ransacked. One day His Messiah would reign from Jerusalem, hence the direction of his watch. Submissive and burning in love, he worshipped on his knees. Yes, he knew that they spied on his prayer retreat, overhearing angry whispers, curses, mockery, threats, and jest. Morning, noon and night Daniel glorified his Lord. ’These men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.’ Daniel, you’re nearly ninety, ease off a bit’ whispered the enemy of souls.

The spies objected, ’That Daniel , who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.’ ‘The king laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.’ Pressured by nobles, ‘The king gave the command and they brought Daniel (from his secure, prayerful, loving home) and cast him into the den of lions.’

The heathen king showed extraordinary faith, ‘Your God whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.’ Did he believe the Lord could restore Daniel after throwing him to the lions? Did he have heaven in mind; for he had listened often to his revered prime minister, who counselled him, praying often for his king?

Humanly impossible for Daniel!’ They rolled a stone, laying it at the mouth of the den, while the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet of the lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. ’ They did not know that our God has illimitable power, frustrating the plans of godless rulers.

Did Daniel cease praying? Was his brilliant life cut short as he was thrown into the den of lions? Daniel spent an unbroken night of praising and worshipping His Lord. Only divine intervention could shield this elderly gentleman from ravishing lions. Let him tell the king, who had not slept a wink, troubled, confused, convicted by God of pride and hankering after power. ‘The king arose early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. He cried out with a lamenting voice, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God has your GOD. Whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?’ Read his disarming response, ‘O King, live forever.’

The mystery solved, for ’My GOD sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him,; and also, O King I have done no wrong before you.’ God the Father assumed control in this unlikely circumstance; and had sent His Angel, the Lord Jesus Christ, centuries before He had come to birth of the virgin Mary. Daniel had a royal feast, blessing His heavenly FATHER and the eternal SON in a most unlikely prayer retreat. My dear Grandmother taught me that Daniel was safe when the Angel shut the lions’ mouths, and subdued their ravenous hunger, later restored in righteous judgment as it fell on the wicked spies and their families. The lion lay with the lamb.

A missionary outpouring followed Daniel’s faithful prayer. ‘King Darius wrote, ‘All people, nations, languages on all earth, Peace be multiplied to you, I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. He is the living God, steadfast for ever. His kingdom shall not be destroyed. He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth,

Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Daniel prospered in Darius’ reign and Cyrus the Persian.

Dare to be a Daniel. Maintain a prayer life at home or on official duty.