Praying In Times Like These Daniel 2:14-23

Dictionary of Bible Themes 8603 prayer, as a relationship with God

Prayer is based on God’s love for believers. Through his grace, he gives them things which they do not deserve, while through his mercy he shields them from those things which they do deserve.

Introduction: In chapter 2 of Daniel tells us that Daniel was facing some difficult times. We are faced with some challenging times even now. What should we do in times like these? We are to do exactly what Daniel did - pray. How do we pray? I am glad you asked.

I. We need a time for prayer.

Daniel asked the king time for prayer because he needed time to talk to God. Immediately he was faced with the problem he set aside time for prayer. We need to set aside some time for prayer to seek God’s face and give the situations that we are faced with for His solution.

II. We need to go to the place of prayer.

Daniel went to his house for prayer in verse 17. In your house, there should be a special room set aside for praying. In Daniel’s house, he had a special room for prayer where the window faced Jerusalem. Where is your place of prayer. In the song by the Georgia Mass Choir- Come On In My Room- the grandmother’s prayer place was a closet.

III. We need to be precise in our praying.

Verse 18 tells us Daniel and these prayer partners were precise in their praying. Through out the Bible you see all the times of prayer that are recorded, you will notice over and over again that praying was precise.

IV. We need to exercise faith in praying.

We are to pray in faith. Daniel and his prayer partners had complete trust in God that He would hear and answer their prayer. many times, our prayers are not answer is because of unbelief. James 1:5-7 says, “ 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.“

V. We need to receive the answer to prayer.

Notice in Verses 19-23 of the text the kind of answer God gave. 19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

For wisdom and might are his:

21  And he changeth the times and the seasons:

He lremoveth kings, and setteth up kings:

He giveth wisdom unto the wise,

And knowledge to them that know understanding:

22  He revealeth the deep and secret things:

He knoweth what is in the darkness,

And the light dwelleth with him.

23  I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers,

Who hast given me wisdom and might,

And hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee:

For thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

CALVARY!!!