Little Prayer Groups

Pre-Intro Hook: Is it a little bear? Story

Intro: Last week we talked about appetizers and how Daniel’s small act of faith allowed God to move in and make a big impact.

Hook: I used to work for a small construction company. One of my first tasks was to rake a gravel driveway.

Context: King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream he wanted interpreted. He wanted it interpreted without telling his people what the dream was. He burned with a violent anger and was ready to start offing people until his dream was interpreted. Including Daniel.

I. Daniel 2:17-19

Daniel 2:17–19 ESV

Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 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. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Daniel’s first response was to go to his closest friends and ask them to pray.

We don’t have to pray alone.

We can let others lift up things with us, and receive comfort and encouragement in the process.

They prayed specifically.

We have a tendency to pray broadly in hopes of not offending God. But God can handle the specific prayers. He wants us to share our hearts and our troubles. He’s a good Father who can meet our needs.

We see that the prayer is answered with a yes and Daniel received the answer to the mystery.

II. Daniel 2:20-23

Daniel 2:20–23 ESV

Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

His next step was so important too. He responded with thankfulness.

Admiration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.

He recognized that no matter who was on the throne, no throne sat higher than his God’s.

He was thankful, full of praise, and gave all glory and credit to God.

When our prayers are answered—be thankful, praise Him, and tell others about it!

Example: Grandma’s heart 15 years ago. Don’t misplace your thankfulness.

III. Daniel 2:27-28

Daniel 2:27–28 ESV

Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:

Daniel then acts out in great faith after being equipped and empowered.

He gives all credit to God.

Little prayers and prayer groups, can change everything.

We can fulfill so much more of what God has for us if we just regularly go to Him and prayer, and make prayer our first response to trouble, and not our last.

Conclusion: Our world needs a lot of Jesus, and we can start with a little prayer. Pray and dismiss to small groups.