DANIEL 6:10

I just like how Daniel responded when every demon from hell seemed to have risen up against him. He did not panic or argue, complain nor protest to the King against his evil detractors and devious haters. He simply remained calm and went home and prayed. Undoubtedly, he could have fought back, resisted and somehow appealed his case but in his heart of hearts he knew he was coming against an entire political and social system that was absolutely rigged and contrived against him. Therefore, it is with great interest we focus much attention on verse 10 – “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went up to his house and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

I wonder how many would have been able to remain calm. The plan was not just to destabilize his faith but to viciously get rid of him altogether. It was not just an attack on Daniel but on Daniel’s God – to disprove and discredit his God. On the surface it seemed innocuous but this was really spiritual warfare on the highest level. It was another attempt to declassify and depose the God of Israel and to show Him up as insignificant and powerless. Only they did not know with whom they were messing.

Brethren, let’s learn this essential lesson from Daniel – stop all the needless panic and pandemonium. Go home and pray. Kneel down and pray! While you pray remember to give God thanks. Your nervousness and anxiety only make things worse and causes the enemy to gloat and rejoice. Paul to the Philippians gives similar instructions to the saints when he declares “. . . I will that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you, This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved – and that by God” (Philippians 1:27,28 NIV). Brethren, let’s pray more and panic less!

The apostle Paul also painstakingly reminds us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6 NIV). Daniel was unfazed by the King’s decree, the animosity of his haters and the awful prospect of being served as live bait to hungry lions

Daniel did as he had always done. He passionately, intently prayed. One wonders if the enemy of our souls would still do some of the things he does if he understood how much closer some of these things draw us to our amazing, unchangeable God. We remain determined not to pray less but more, not to sink but swim, not to draw back but to push forward. Daniel continued as he did aforetime, but I could only imagine, more steadfast and determined. We don’t stop! We remain calm as ever! We go home and pray! God delivered not from the lion’s den but in the lion’s den, shutting not only the lion’s mouths but the mouths of all his opposers and traitors! Stay calm and pray!