Sermon Tone Analysis

How do we talk to God? (Through prayer).

How does God talk to us? (Through his word).

Daniel

Introduction:

Daniel’s walk with God led him to incredible favor, which also won him a lot of jealous enemies (vv.

1–4).

They knew they could finally get rid of him by making a law that would go against God, knowing Daniel would obey God first and therefore break the law (v.

5).

Daniel was known as a man of prayer, so they made a law stating no one could pray to anyone but the king and set the penalty as death by lions (vv.

6–7).

Tonight we are going to look at the 3 keys that I believe Daniel even used to have a powerful successful prayer life!

1.

A Concrete Plan

Explanation:

Take a look at the end of verse 10 it says “as he did aforetime.”

What does the word aforetime mean?

Does anyone know?

Yes!

It means “as in times past” or in other words, this was something he did on a regular basis.

Daniel had a prayer plan and was sticking to it no matter what anyone else said because it was the right thing to do!

Daniel had a plan and we can see that plan in verse 10. he went to the room at the top of his house opened the windows that were facing Jerusalem and prayed three times a day.

Daniel was prepared! he knew what his plan of attack was and he executed it!

Do you have a plan?

Do you miss praying sometimes?

I’m not talking like a day here and there throughout the year I’m taking like have you missed a week a month?

when was the last time before camp you even prayed?

If you have a plan already GREAT JOB! keep it up!

But if you dont I want to share a simple plan I use and I think is very effective and an easy way to keep you on track.

Illustration:

A.C.T.S prayer model

A- Adoration: Praise the Lord for the awesome God that he is!

A- Adoration: Praise the Lord for the awesome God that he is!

C- Confession: Admit your sins and ask for God’s overflowing forgiveness in your life!

C- Confession: Admit your sins and ask for God’s overflowing forgiveness in your life!

T- Thanksgiving: Thank God for all the wonderful things he has done!

T- Thanksgiving: Thank God for all the wonderful things he has done!

S- Supplication: Bring requests for yourself and for others to God!

S- Supplication: Bring requests for yourself and for others to God!

Application:

Young people, please don’t forget that this relationship you are building with God is not a one-way street.

Prayer is just a part of your walk with God.

You need also to be reading your bible which you should also have a reading plan throughout the year.

I won’t get into that today but I’m sure Ben has a plan you can use just talk with him!

There is also being faithful to Church and serving in the church!

All of these things do not make you a Christian but they help you grow closer to Christ.

Just like living with my wife doesn’t make me married (we got married at the altar of your church) but talking with each other, doing things together, spending time together helps us grow closer together.

There is also being faithful to Church and serving in the church!

All of these things do not make you a Christian but they help you grow closer to Christ.

Just like living with my wife doesn’t make me married (we got married at the altar of your church) but talking with each other, doing things together, spending time together helps us grow closer together.

But just like Daniel, we must have a plan of attack!

But just like Daniel, we must have a plan of attack!

Transition;

Not only must it be a concrete pan but it must be…

2. Being Consistent In The Plan

Explanation:

Notice again the end of verse 10 it says “as he did aforetime.”

that means it was something he did on a regular basis.

He was consistent in his prayer life!

Hey, I get it, I’ve been there.

have a consistent prayer life is hard.

To pray and read your bible every day.

Here is one trick I’ve learned over the years.

if you miss a day God doesn’t hate you so pick it back up the next day!

That’s where the C in our ACTS model comes into play.

“Lord I am sorry I missed yesterday please help me get back on track and stay on track” 

The amazing thing about God, He wants you to succeed in your Christian life!

That looks different for every one of us because he has a special plan for all of us!

It is so important to be consistent in the matter of prayer!

But why, why is it so important to stay consistent in my prayer life.

because you never know what kind of trial or temptation is going to come your way!

Do you think Daniel would have been used like he was if he didn’t have a strong relationship with God?

He wouldn’t have the courage to say no to the King’s meat he wouldn’t have had the courage to face the lion’s den without fear.

Do you have that kind of courage?

No? maybe you need to work on your prayer life a little bit more!

Illustration:

June 13, 1853

We were now very poor.

Not indeed in debt, not even with all the money gone; there was still about sixty dollars [£12] in hand; but there was needed to be bought flour, of which we buy generally ten sacks at a time, four thousand two hundred pounds [300 stones] of oatmeal, four hundred-weight [4 cwt.] of soap.

There were many little repairs going on in the house, with a number of workmen employed, besides the regular current expenses of about two hundred and eighty dollars [£70] per week.

Over and above all this, on Saturday, the day before yesterday, I found that the heating apparatus needed to be repaired, which would, in all probability, cost one hundred dollars [£25].

It was therefore desirable, humanly speaking, to have five hundred dollars [£100] for these heavy extra expenses.

We were now very poor.

Not indeed in debt, not even with all the money gone; there was still about sixty dollars [£12] in hand; but there was needed to be bought flour, of which we buy generally ten sacks at a time, four thousand two hundred pounds [300 stones] of oatmeal, four hundred-weight [4 cwt.] of soap.

There were many little repairs going on in the house, with a number of workmen employed, besides the regular current expenses of about two hundred and eighty dollars [£70] per week.

Over and above all this, on Saturday, the day before yesterday, I found that the heating apparatus needed to be repaired, which would, in all probability, cost one hundred dollars [£25].

It was therefore desirable, humanly speaking, to have five hundred dollars [£100] for these heavy extra expenses.

But I had no human prospect whatever of getting even two hundred cents [100 pence]—much less five hundred dollars [£100].

In addition to this, today was Monday when generally the income is little.

But in walking to the Orphan House this morning, and praying as I went, I particularly told the Lord in prayer, and on this day, though Monday, He could send me much.

And thus it was, I received this morning fifteen hundred dollars [£301] for the Lord’s service, as might be most needed.

The joy which I had cannot be described.

I walked up and down in my room for a long time, tears of joy and gratitude to the Lord raining plentifully over my cheeks, praising and magnifying the Lord for His goodness, and surrendering myself afresh, with all my heart, to Him for His blessed service.

I scarcely ever felt more the kindness of the Lord helping me.

But I had no human prospect whatever of getting even two hundred cents [100 pence]—much less five hundred dollars [£100].

In addition to this, today was Monday when generally the income is little.

But in walking to the Orphan House this morning, and praying as I went, I particularly told the Lord in prayer, and on this day, though Monday, He could send me much.

And thus it was, I received this morning fifteen hundred dollars [£301] for the Lord’s service, as might be most needed.

The joy which I had cannot be described.

I walked up and down in my room for a long time, tears of joy and gratitude to the Lord raining plentifully over my cheeks, praising and magnifying the Lord for His goodness, and surrendering myself afresh, with all my heart, to Him for His blessed service.

I scarcely ever felt more the kindness of the Lord helping me.

Application:

This is one of the many stories of the life of Missionary George Muller.

You see young people, God blesses people who are faithful and consistent in their walk with him!

George Muller was consistent