An Unhindered Prayer Life

What do you consider to be the biggest challenge you have faced in your life?

Looking back, what would you do differently about how you faced that challenge?

What would you definitely not change?

How was your relationship with God impacted by that experience?

As we’ve gone through the book of Daniel, we have seen the different situations he faced and the way he remained faithful to God. We will se that demonstrated through this next chapter when he was threatened with death holding onto the Godly values he held dear. He knew the faith he demonstrated in God was what had got him through these challenges and would continue.

What a perfect message for us in the times we are facing now.

Daniel 6:1–5 ESV

1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

Satraps were officials who governed over a province or a district. These 120 satraps reported to three officials of which Daniel was one. These three reported directly to the king. All of these officials were making sure taxes were being collected and reported correctly. They were to make sure there was no fraud within the government.

The ones under Daniel and his equals were jealous of him. He had such a reputation, the king was going to put him over all of them. Then they all would report to Daniel.

The book of Daniel all throughout shows how a trustworthy person will glorify God when trials come.

We will see this happen in this chapter as well.

How did Daniel’s relationship with God prepare him for his task of being over the satraps?

How did that same relationship with God open Daniel up to attacks from his enemies?

Daniel lived such an uncompromising life, his enemies saw a way the could get to him. They couldn’t find anything against him to bring before the king which would effect his standing in the king’s eyes. They needed something which would bring him down. Under the current law of the Medes and Persians, they couldn’t find anything.

They knew they needed a new law which would put Daniel’s faith in God in conflict with the law of the kingdom.

Daniel 6:6–10 ESV

6 Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. 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.

How were faith and culture in conflict in Daniel 6:6-10?

We can see very plainly here the Jewish faith would be in conflict with what the Medo-Persian law was going to require Daniel to do.

If you notice the conversation and the way it starts, they say

All of the officials have agreed

The king believed this would have included Daniel. The king’s goal was to bring all of the people together. If all of his officials told him this would be a way to do this, he was going to take their advice.

The officials, of course, were going to use this as an opportunity to catch Daniel being in conflict with this new law. They also included the punishment in the law so the king’s hands would be tied, and he would have to follow through.

How did Daniel react to the news of the king’s new law?

Daniel went ahead and continued what he knew to right in the eyes of God. He continued to pray towards Jerusalem, in the same room he always had, with the windows open. He wasn’t changing his routine because of this law.

Why did he continue in the same room in the open instead of maybe going to an inner room in his home?

What implications does Daniel’s public display of faith have for our prayer lives?

What is one way your own faith in God is challenged in our culture?

Daniel could have just not prayed for the 30 days. He could have abstained and not been in conflict with the law. However, he knew the value of staying close to God and walking with Him. He knew the strength and the guidance he got from not only starting his day out in prayer, but praying three different times during his day to God.

What was Daniel willing to sacrifice in order to live for God?

How did his actions shine forth the light of Christ?

Daniel 6:11–18 ESV

11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.” 16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.

The satraps and the officials brought the news to the king that Daniel had been praying to God instead of him.

How do you think the king felt at this point?

At this point, the king realized the true reason why the leaders had requested he make this new law.

What was the king’s initial reaction to this once he found out the real reason behind this new law?

However, the way they worded it, there was nothing left of the king to do. He had to follow through with exactly what the law said. The leaders had backed the king into a corner. In order for the king to be consistent with all laws, he had to throw Daniel into the lions’ den or pit.

What did the king do once he followed through with the law?

I think this shows what respect the king had towards Daniel and God. While he had enacted this law, he thought he was doing what was best for his reign and taking over the kingdoms he had been placed over to rule.

Have you ever been caught in a similar situation?

Where someone had told you what was best, but you knew it wasn’t necessarily the right thing.

Darius didn’t have all the information. He thought the leaders had brought him sound advice, and they were all in agreement, once again, including Daniel. If the Darius would’ve taken his time and done a little investigating, he would’ve saved himself and Daniel a lot of heart ache. He also would have saved himself a night of peaceful sleep.

What do we learn about Daniel and his faith in God as opposed to his obedience to the king?

Aren’t you thankful we live in a country which still allows us to pray openly before we eat our meals in restaurants? Aren’t you thankful we can still meet like we do tonight and do it freely?

We do live in a time when things are changing, and we need to stand for what is right. But there are still things we can do which have powerful impacts on others lives. As we’ve heard before from testimonies, someone simply saying, “God bless you,” can change a life and bring someone to such conviction, it brings them to the cross.

In your daily life, what are things you can do to point people to the cross?

Side Bar

Do you notice how scripture focuses on the king’s actions once Daniel is thrown into the lions’ den and not Daniel’s?

Daniel 6:19–24 ESV

19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

What does God’s deliverance of Daniel teach us about God?

He is just to deliver those who are faithful to Him. While the deliverance may not be as dramatic as Daniel’s, he will still be with us and see us through.

I think we also need to realize Daniel was also satisfied with whatever God was going to do in his situation.

We know from life that God does not always rescue the faithful from earthly harm.

If God does not respond in a miraculous way, how should His followers respond?

Of course, we still need to respond in a way which shows our faith in Him. We need to show others our faith isn’t simply something which we live out here on earth. Our aim is for something higher.

If we aren’t delivered from something here on earth, ultimately we are delivered with our heavenly reward.

What effect did God’s deliverance of Daniel have on Darius?

We can see what he did to those who opposed Daniel. We can also see according to scripture, it not only cost them their lives, but their families’ as well.

If you are a history buff, you will know this was a common practice of the Medo-Persian rulers. Get rid of the whole lot, that way you don’t have to worry about someone in the family plotting revenge on you later.

Let’s take a look a last of the chapter.

Daniel 6:25–28 ESV

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Let’s go back and look at the decree sent out from N real quick.

Daniel 4:34–37 ESV

34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Do you notice a difference between the two and how the respond to God?

N began praise and worship God. God isn’t referred to as “Daniel’s God.” He is referred to as the King of heaven.

By Darius’ proclamation or decree, Daniel’s God is one of many gods. He still doesn’t recognize Him as the only God.

Questions to think about this week.

What aspects of our culture today hinder the spiritual discipline of prayer? How do you face those challenges in your own prayer life?

Daniel’s purpose in life was to glorify God. How was the purpose of Daniel’s life different from the purpose for your life today? What is one immediate difference you would see if glorifying God became the focus of your life?

What steps do you need to take toward having a faithful prayer life like Daniel?