The IMPORTANCE of MAINTAINING a DAILY PRAYER LIFE!
September
12 Bible Reading: Daniel Chapters 4-6
The IMPORTANCE of MAINTAINING a DAILY PRAYER LIFE
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing
was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward
Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave
thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." (Dan 6:10)
Daniel was
past 80 years of age at this time, yet he was still on his knees thanking God
and asking for His guidance and help. Daniel’s knowledge of the decree of
Darius not only failed to dissuade him from his practice of seeking God’s face
three times each day, but also created a desire in him to seek God’s face
immediately. His enemies were correct in assuming that if Daniel was forced to
choose between the decree of an earthly king and the eternal word of the King
of heaven, he would choose his God (v. 5).
The officers
lied when they used the word ‘all’ (v. 7) for that gave the king the idea that
Daniel agreed with them. They conspired against Daniel and went as a group
against him three times: to get the
king to pass the edict (6:6), to watch Daniel pray in his window (6:11), and to
make the king enforce his edict (6:15). But
no laws or threats could keep Daniel from his times of prayer!
We can
safely assume that Daniel never knew that he would be miraculously delivered
from the jaws of death. He was advanced in years, and there was no reason for
him to suppose that God would intervene to spare his life. However, courage and steadfastness in faith motivated him to continue his walk with God.
Daniel knew he had to obey God, no matter what man might command or how much he
might stand to lose personally by such actions. He did not increase his prayer
out of hypocrisy, nor did he try to conceal it out of fear. Daniel’s steadfastness is a challenge to us
to maintain a daily consistent prayer life as well..!!!
"And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." (1 Peter 3:13-17)
