“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:10
If you recall, when the Persian Empire conquered the Babylonian Empire, Darius the Mede took power from Belshazzar. Darius ran his government much like Belshazzar, with pride and arrogance. He was easily convinced by those who wanted to bring Daniel to ruin that Darius should set a decree that “anyone who prays to any god or man during the next 30 days besides Darius shall be thrown into the lion’s den.” They knew very well Daniel’s established practice of praying to the Lord three times a day. What was the first thing Daniel did when he heard the decree? He went home to pray.
In a study of Daniel I am following, it said, “If we want to stand firm in the face of lions, it’s the regular and unremarkable spiritual habits that will build our strength and deepen our faith.” As we think about those annual New Year’s resolutions, what have you thought about to strengthen and deepen your faith? What would it look like to pray purposefully three times a day? How might it change the way we see those around us and how we respond to them? How brighter would our light be if we were constantly, purposefully in touch with the Lord?
I hope to find out. I have set an alarm in my phone for 11:30am and 3:30pm to remind me to stop and pray in the midst of my work day. I will continue with my early morning time with Him and the last thoughts/prayers before I go to sleep each night. I am hopeful that this additional spiritual practice will not only deepen my relationship with the Lord, which is in itself enough of an incentive, but to also have it reflected in my conversation, in my attitude towards others, and in my response to issues as they arise.
Read Daniel 6:11-28 to find out the rest of the story. Daniel’s commitment to the Lord, to his daily practice of prayer, saved him from the jaws of the lions. The Lord’s rescue brought Darius to his knees and to make a new decree that all the people in his kingdom shall fear and revere the God of Daniel. I look forward to having such a testimony. I smile as I write that, knowing there will be no lion’s den in my future, but I certainly do not underestimate the power God can display in any number of ways in your life and mine. Seek the Lord as you make those resolutions. What spiritual practice would He desire you to pursue so He can show Himself to you in a special way and so you can shine brighter for His kingdom? I can’t wait to hear your testimonies of His faithfulness and work in you! Lord’s blessings!