The Daniel Prayer

The Daniel Prayer
Pastor Steve Anderson | 8.28.24

Daniel 6:10-28 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. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

“May you all prosper greatly!”

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

The Daniel Prayer is a Habit of Prayer

1) Have a Prepared to Pray; A Focal Point: “… he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.”..the place that symbolized the presence of Yahweh God.

For Us: 

Matthew 6:6  But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

2) Have a Prepared to Pray: “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed….

Daniel is an example of the importance of that discipline for modern believers

• At least once (hopefully more)
• At the best time for you/your lifestyle (note: the best, not just the most convenient)
• Do whatever you need to do to make it a productive time (music, quiet, standing)
• Learn the power of routine in exercising disciple in your Christian walk..

 3) Have a Prepared – “….giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before….THEN praying and found asking God for help.”

• Focus on God
• A thankful heart; an awareness of His blessings
• Remembering Whom your prayers are about…”THY kingdom come, THY will be done….”
• Remember to focus on where you are going and what you need to put the Kingdom of God first….THEN ask for God’s help

4) Have a Prepared …” they found Daniel praying and asking God for help.”

– Expectant Faith

Matthew 6:7-8 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

• Humble….contrite….on your knees….bowing your heart

• Forgiving

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

• Thankful .., by faith accepting even struggle and hardship as a pathway to growth and peace

• Seeking God’s Help

Daniel 6:10-11 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 

• Worshipful – worship is our response to God’s glory

• Committed….. until the mountains move and nations are changed 

Matthew 7:7-8 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

• Confident….that even though you can’t see it, God is working all things together for your good

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:26-28 (MSG) Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

NOTES

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