Daniel 6:3–7, 10, 16–23

Explore the Bible 
Dean, School of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

NEVER GIVE UP ON PRAYER

Daniel 6:3–7, 10, 16–23      

What would you do if you were faced with execution for expressing your faith in Jesus publicly? Would you stop praying? Should we remove the missionaries from countries where people do not want to hear the gospel? Should we stop praying here? If Christian faith is not welcome in the public arena of ideas, should Christians cloister themselves and withdraw from public life?

Praying to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ is considered by many to be illegal today. Not only is it unwelcome in Mosul, Iraq, where every “Nasrani” (the Arabic word for Christian; literally “of Nazareth”) has been run out of town, but prayer in the name of Jesus also is verboten where you live. Try offering prayer at a public function today — a high school ball game or a commencement program — and you may be forcibly removed for your intolerant ideology. You may say, “Not in my town,” but it may happen sooner than you think.

Your prayer life is a threat to those who believe that humanity is the measure of all things. Daniel discovers this reality. His faithful prayer regimen becomes a problem for his pluralistic governmental counterparts.

When Big Challenges Come (3–5)

Integrity attracts animosity. Daniel distinguishes himself under the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, kings of Babylon. After the overthrow of the Babylonian government by the Persians, Daniel once again shows himself beneficial to the reigning official. While there is much debate about the man identified as Darius the Mede, the point is that he favors Daniel, who is now a seasoned saint. Like modern political adversaries, the satraps under Daniel’s authority look to dig up dirt concerning his character. The only fault they find is that he seeks the Lord regularly.

We are taught in the Bible to honor God, our parents, our teachers and our leaders. The world tells us to doubt God, question our parents, challenge our teachers and protest our leaders. If we seek to live our lives as Daniel did, seeking to obey God completely, we need not to be ashamed no matter what comes.

When Faith and Culture Clash (6–7, 10)

No one is above the law. When a king issued a decree, no one could be delivered from the sentence imposed, including the king. In addition, he could not grant a pardon to anyone found guilty of the crime.

Daniel knows the political bureaucracy has manipulated Darius. He knows about the law; he is aware that those who pray are subject to a death sentence. Regardless of the law, he acknowledges his first allegiance to the one true God, and he does not refrain from seeking the Lord.

When Personal Danger Looms (16–18)

Some laws and some legal decisions are unjust, and they stand in contradiction to God’s Word. Like Daniel we must exercise civil disobedience when the law of the land requires disobedience to God. We must trust God completely to carry out His will, regardless of the personal cost to us. Whether we are here or in a distant land our obedience to God must come first.

When God Alone Can Help (19–23)

Darius hopes that Daniel has been delivered, but he cannot be sure until he hears the prophet’s voice. The king fasts through the night, and he rejects any form of entertainment. He hopes that Daniel’s God will save him.

The next morning, when Daniel responds to the king’s calls, he gives credit to God for sending an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. He survives the ordeal unscathed. His sentence complete, Daniel is released from the lion’s den to continue to serve the king.

All too often people receive credit that rightly belongs to the Lord. Daniel is an example to all of us to use our gifts to give God glory. After all, that is why we were created.