Daniel 5:31-6:28; Do You Have A Prayer Life?

Sermon in a sentence: I will make my prayer life a matter of life and death.

Introduction

“Howard Be Thy Name”

Daniel’s Prayers (vs. 31-13)

Daniel’s entire life was shaped by his prayer life.

Chapter 1, Daniel is faithful to serve God. He is willing to die for what he knows is right.

Chapter 2, Daniel once again is faced with death. He responds with prayer and community.

The people around him knew that prayer was a matter of life and death to Daniel.

Do you and I even prayer everyday?

How can we improver our prayer life?

Daniel publically defied the wicked decree of the king.

Darius’ Panic (vs. 14-28)

Darius was so blinded by his pride he didn’t think about the consequences before he made a judgement.

Darius judged the wicked leaders and even their children for their actions.

Darius, like Nebuchadnezzar, thought he could decree true worship.

Conclusion: Luther

A barber was in his shop and noticed a man come in and take his seat. As the barber took out his straight razor and as he was stropping it to hone it to a razor’s edge, he noticed that the man who had entered his shop was a fugitive. He was wanted. There was a price on his head. And the man was one of the most hated men in the whole continent.

And when he took his place to have his hair cut and his beard shaved, the barber took that razor, pressed it against the edge of the man’s neck, and knew that if he just put a little more pressure on the blade, he could become famous and rich for collecting the reward.

But he made no move to exert such pressure on the patron’s neck, because despite the hatred the customer bore, the barber loved him and considered one of his greatest heroes, and considered himself blessed that he would even have the earthly privilege of shaving the face of Martin Luther. Luther came to Master Peter’s shop on a regular basis for the haircut and the shave.

And when Master Peter had Martin Luther as a captive audience, he would spend the time asking the great Reformer theological questions.

And one day he raised the question of ora et labora when he said to Martin Luther, “Dr. Luther, can you teach me how to pray?”

And Luther said, “I’d be glad to Master Peter.”

He went back to his room at Wittenberg and he picked up a pen, and specifically for his barber he wrote this short little essay, A Simple Way to Pray. While Daniel should serve as an example for us, we have only one perfect example of prayer. The Lord Jesus Christ gave us our perfect example of a life of prayer. At every moment he attempted to get away from the noise to pray to the Father.

Brothers and Sisters, there are few things that you can do that are more important than prayer. And there is no prayer more important than the prayer of salvation.

If you already have put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I encourage us this week to take our prayer lives seriously. This week, I ask each one of us to set an alarm each day at noon. No matter where you are or what you are doing, prayer! Prayer for Colgate Baptist Church!

Praying with your family (wife in particular) during family worship?

Praying the Bible.

Family Reflection Questions

What was the point of the text? The sermon?

How does this point me to Christ?

How can we apply this to our lives?