Praying Like Daniel: Faithfulness in Every Season

Open with Prayer: Ask God to lead us as we study His word.

"Lord, as we study Your Word and examine the prayer life of Daniel, open our hearts and minds. Teach us to pray with faithfulness and conviction. Amen."

Introduction (2 minutes):

Tonight I want us to briefly look at the life of Daniel.

Daniel and His Friends Taken Captive to Babylon: Daniel and other young men from Judah are taken to Babylon during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.

Reference: Daniel 1:1-7

Daniel's Training and Resolve: Daniel and his friends refuse to defile themselves with the king's food and wine, choosing instead to eat vegetables and drink water.

Reference: Daniel 1:8-16

Daniel and His Friends Granted Knowledge and Wisdom: God grants Daniel and his friends knowledge and understanding. Daniel is also given the ability to interpret dreams.

Reference: Daniel 1:17-21

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar's Dream: Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great statue, predicting the rise and fall of empires.

Reference: Daniel 2:1-49

The Fiery Furnace: Daniel's friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship the king's image but are miraculously saved.

Reference: Daniel 3:1-30

Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream: Daniel interprets another dream of Nebuchadnezzar, predicting his period of madness and subsequent restoration.

Reference: Daniel 4:1-37

The Writing on the Wall: During King Belshazzar's feast, a mysterious hand writes on the wall. Daniel interprets the writing, predicting the fall of Babylon.

Reference: Daniel 5:1-31

Daniel in the Lions' Den: Daniel is thrown into the lions' den for continuing to pray to God despite a royal decree but is protected by an angel.

Reference: Daniel 6:1-28

Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts: Daniel has a vision of four beasts representing four kingdoms.

Reference: Daniel 7:1-28

Daniel's Vision of the Ram and the Goat: Daniel has a vision involving a ram and a goat, symbolizing the Medo-Persian and Greek empires.

Reference: Daniel 8:1-27

Daniel's Prayer and Gabriel's Message: Daniel prays for his people, and the angel Gabriel explains the prophecy of the seventy weeks.

Reference: Daniel 9:1-27

Daniel's Final Vision: Daniel receives a final vision concerning future events, including the rise of the Antichrist and the end times.

Reference: Daniel 10:1-12:13

Daniel's life was marked by extraordinary circumstances - from being exiled to Babylon as a young man to serving under multiple kings and facing life-threatening situations.

Through it all ,what was it that Held Daniel’s life Together?

PRAYER

His prayer life was a constant source of strength and guidance.

Read Daniel 6:10-11

Daniel 6:10–11 ESV

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.

Question: How important is your prayer life?

Do you find yourself in a continual life of Prayer like Daniel?

Tonight I want us to consider qualities we see in Daniels Prayer life.

1. Consistency in Prayer:

How often did Daniel Pray?

Daniel 6:10 (ESV)

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Daniel prayed specifically at three different times each day,

regardless of his circumstances. This wasn't just a habit; it was a lifeline to God.

How can we develop a consistent prayer life amidst our busy schedules?

2. Courage in Prayer:

why do we know that Daniel Had courage when He prayed?

Because it went agains the kings decree,

Even when it became illegal, Daniel continued to pray openly.

What does this commitment tell you about Daniel?

His commitment to God superseded his fear of man.

Application: What fears or obstacles hinder our prayer lives, and how can we overcome them?

3. Community in Prayer:

Daniel 2:17–18 ESV

17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

In times of crisis, Daniel sought out his friends to pray together (Daniel 2:17-18).

Application:

Why is it important for us to ask others to join us in Prayer?

What are we saying to one another when we dont share our request with one another?

How can we incorporate communal prayer into our lives?

4. Confession in Prayer

Daniel 9:4–19 (ESV)

4 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8 To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. 14 Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 demonstrates heartfelt confession and repentance.

Because Daniel walked and talked daily with God, He felt the seperation from God because of sin. and so He cried out in repentance seeking to have the relationship between Israel and God restored.

Application: How often do we include confession in our prayers?

Clarity in Prayer

Daniel's prayers were specific and intentional (Daniel 9:4-19).

Prayer for Revelation of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream (Daniel 2:17-19):

Specific Request: Daniel and his friends specifically ask for God's mercy in revealing the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar's dream so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon.

Intentionality: Their prayer is intentional, focusing on the urgent need for divine intervention. They gather together to seek God's mercy, demonstrating their collective reliance on Him.

Daniel's Prayer of Confession and Intercession (Daniel 9:3-19):

Specific Content: Daniel's prayer includes specific confessions of the sins of the people of Israel, acknowledging their disobedience and rebellion. He references the desolation of Jerusalem and appeals to God's mercy based on His covenant and steadfast love.

Intentionality: Daniel's prayer is driven by his understanding of Jeremiah's prophecy. He intentionally seeks God's face through fasting, sackcloth, and ashes, showing a deep sense of urgency and repentance.

Daniel's Fasting and Mourning Prayer (Daniel 10:1-3, 12):

Specific Actions: Daniel engages in a period of mourning and fasting for three weeks, during which he abstains from choice food, meat, and wine.

Intentionality: His prayer during this time is intentional, aimed at seeking understanding and insight regarding a troubling vision he had received. His dedication to prayer and fasting shows his deep desire for divine guidance and clarity.

In each instance, Daniel's prayers are marked by a clear focus on specific needs and a deliberate approach to seeking God's intervention, reflecting his profound faith and dependence on God.

Application: How can we make our prayers more focused and purposeful?

Personal Reflection (2 minutes):

Take a moment to reflect silently on these questions:

Which aspect of Daniel's prayer life challenges you the most?What's one practical step you can take this week to enhance your prayer life?

Closing Prayer (1 minute):

"Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Daniel. Help us to cultivate a prayer life that is consistent, courageous, communal, confessional, and clear. May our prayers deepen our relationship with You and impact the world around us. In Jesus' name, Amen."