PRAYER PUSHES A PROPHET INTO A LION’S DEN
February 20, 2023
PRAYER PUSHES A PROPHET INTO A LION’S DEN
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. Daniel 6:13
God, our Good and Gracious Heavenly Father, would like us to connect with Him through prayer. God is great in his faithfulness toward us. He is always willing to meet with us and give us the grace to seek His face. The daily discipline and devotion to pray will bless you, your family, as well as those who you pray for.
But are you aware that the word of God testifies that a Prophet’s prayer life caused him to be persecuted and prosecuted with the death penalty. I submit to you that Daniel’s prayer life pushed him into a den of lions.
To assist us in processing the passage I have taken the liberty to provide four points taken from Daniel chapter six.
*THE PROMINENCE OF DANIEL (Daniel 6:1-3)
Daniel enjoyed an excellent spirit (Mind and intellectual prowess) which made him a great Administrator. In addition to this he had extensive experience as a Counselor and administrator with the previous King Nebuchadnezzar.
It was Daniel’s Prayer life that caused him to be blessed and placed him in a position of Prominence. (Distinction /Reputation)
*THE PLOT AGAINST DANIEL (Daniel 6:4-11)
Daniel enemies concocted a plot to politicize prayer and turn Daniel’s prayer life into a perilous practice. All prayer was to be delivered to the king in recognition of his power in the religious sphere. The penalty for defying against his religious authority was death. The penalty of death was carried out by throwing the trespasser into a den of Lions. Daniels enemies, energized by envy engaged in a wicked weaponization of prayer because of the war in their heart against Daniel.
*THE PROSECUTION OF DANIEL (6:12–18)
Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
When King Darius Hearing heard the charges levied against His loyal and exceptional servant Daniel he was considerably distressed. Although King Darius knew he was compelled by the law he had made, he sought some way to deliver Daniel from the penalty of the law. You see these cunning and corrupt leaders conspired and capitalized on the Kings’ conceit and consequently caught Daniel in a trap. Having no answer to their political ambush the King gave the order for Daniel to be thrown into the lions’ den. Darius in a cry of desperation drenched with despair declared to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually rescue you”. (Daniel 6:16)
*THE PRESERVATION OF DANIEL (6:19–24)
Have you considered that Daniel’s personal, precious, and persistent prayer life not only caused him to experience the death penalty, but it also provided his preservation. It’s very plausible that King Darius was buffeted by wave after wave of worry which consequently caught him in a storm of sleeplessness. He bolted out of bed early and made a beeline to the lion’s den to see how Daniel fared. With a pitiful and pain filled cry he called out to Daniel.
Daniel 6:20-22 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Closing thought. When we open our mouths to pray God will close the mouth of our opponents and the Lions of this world.
Not a Sermon But a Thought
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR