In chapter 5 there is a hand that writes on the wall, and "The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, 'Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.' Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation." (Daniel 5:7-8) The Bible makes it clear that there is no word out of place in all of Scripture. God wanted to make it clear to us that no man could interpret the writing; no matter how "wise" they were, true wisdom can only be found in God. In the next following verses they call forth Daniel, "because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel" (Daniel 5:12) He interprets the writing, and later becomes the third ruler of the kingdom.
A plot is devised in order to bring Daniel down, and they pass a law that no one is to worship anyone or anything except the king. Like clockwork, and without thinking twice, "When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously." (Daniel 6:10) So praying three times a day was nothing new for Daniel. He had been doing that all along.
Do we pray enough?
Daniel is caught praying, and giving glory to God instead of the king, therefore he gets thrown into the lions den. I'm sure Daniel was still praying, and just as God delivered from the fire, He delivered from the den of lions. And just in case you think "Perhaps the lions weren't hungry..." well, after they brought Daniel out, "The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den; And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces." (Daniel 6:24)
Daniel's testimony, on how he never backed down from serving and giving praise to God led to the king making this decree: "I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God, enduring forever; His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, He who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions." (Daniel 5:26-27)
In Daniel 9, Daniel prays for God's chosen people. Begging God to forgive him and the people. Look at all the words he uses. Look at all the sentences he gives to God. Honestly, when I pray it doesn't sound like this. Embarrassingly, prayers are quite simple, and if your willing to admit it, they lack uniqueness. God wants to hear us-our true selves, not just some rehearsed sentences before bedtime. Our hearts need to be burdened for the city, for the county, for the country, for the world. Listen to Daniel beg for God to hear him: "O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name." (Daniel 9:18-19)
Can you hear that? It's passion for the city! It's earnestness! It's a strong desire wanting for everyone with unity to be seeking after God.
While Daniel was praying, and confessing, Gabriel came to Daniel with a message, "O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved." (Daniel 9:22-23)
Daniel prays three times a day, prays even when there was a law put into effect banning such action, prays for God's people and God's city... There's no stopping Daniel from his relationship with God.
Contrast that with our lives... Do we pray enough?
When I read "for you are greatly loved" I couldn't help but drop to my knees. Daniel spent time with God, and he took time to get to know God. God revealed things to Daniel. Daniel and God were close. And so when Daniel is praying for the people, it's almost as if God says to Daniel, 'Of course Daniel. You spend so much time with me. I was the first person you called on when the law was passed forbidding communion with Me. You trusted in me while in the den of lions. You seek me three times everyday. Of course Daniel. You are greatly loved.'
More prayer, more power... Let's do this.
Living eagerly for His purpose
