DANIEL 6:10

The hidden agenda was to completely get rid of Daniel once and for all. They swiftly found they could bring no charges or accusations against Daniel that could succeed. Daniel so lived above reproach that they had to concoct a rather ridiculous scheme to convince the king to unwittingly sign a decree intended specifically to have Daniel not just deposed but executed. They could find no basis for charges against him unless it had to do with the law of his God (v5). However, their evil plan explosively backfired. Standing against all odds, even against the most corrupt government officials, Daniel refused to bend or break!

The scriptures declare “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into 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” (10). Surely, the aim was to intimidate and to cause Daniel to retract and cower, but Daniel chose death rather than to allow the minions of darkness to prevail. In full knowledge of intentioned evil, Daniel stood his ground. He went to his house and instead of praying secretly and discreetly, he kept his windows opened, kneeled down and prayed three times a day.

May God help us not to cower in the raging face of darkness, especially in these last days, Brethren, now is no time to back down or give in to the spirit of fear. We waste too much time living in fear and giving in to fear. Now is no time to close up our windows in fear and intimidation. More than ever the enemy of our souls would love for us to stop praying or to at least pray less.

I find it uplifting and edifying that Daniel did not just sneak a prayer in, but he deliberately, intentionally, powerfully prayed. He knelt down and prayed three times a day. He prayed and gave God thanks as he did aforetime. He continually prayed. Herein lies the key – continual praying as we did aforetime. I repeat and reiterate – Now is no time to stop praying! The enemy does what he must do and we must do what we must do.

They found Daniel praying (v11). I earnestly pray, that they would find us praying. Leaders, pastors and bishops, may the church find us praying. Members, may the world find us praying and making supplication before our God (v 11). Let them see us praying. How we need to saturate the atmosphere with prayer (2 Chronicles 7:14). The Lord avowed that if we humble ourselves and pray, the miraculous shall transpire. It is a fact, too many of our homes and even churches are prayerless.

As a result of Daniel’s unwavering loyalty to God, his steadfastness in the face of opposition, his disciplined life of prayer, King Darius signed another decree replacing and repealing the previous ungodly decree which some endeavored to make unalterable and irretractable. He issued a decree calling on all to fear and reverence Daniel’s God as the living God who endures forever and who delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and earth (vv 26,27). All his enemies were thrown into the den of lions and devoured. Our prayers still have the ability to change minds and laws. Like Daniel we continue the prayers. Prayers altered the entire landscape of things in the Kingdom of the Medes and Persia. Prayer changes things!