Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chambers toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime (had been doing before this ) Daniel 6:10.

Undeterred by the royal proclamation, Daniel resumed praying by the windows of his house that opened towards Jerusalem.  His enemies were correct in assuming that if Daniel was forced to choose between the decree of an earthly king and the eternal Word of the King of heaven, he would choose his God. Although Daniel knew about the decree against praying to anyone except the king, he still prayed three times a day as he always did. Daniel, his name meaning “God is my judge”. Daniel was the second son of David, born to him of Abigail. Daniel was one of the noble Israelite youths taken off to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar during the third year of King Jehoiakim. He was educated for service in the royal palace and assigned the name Belteshazzar. Loyal to the Hebrew religion, he became highly regarded for his skills in interpreting dreams and visions. He attained a high place in the king’s service as governor of the province of Babylon and perfect over all the wise men during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, the third ruler in the kingdom of Belshazzar, and one of the three presidents over the 120 satraps of Darius. He continued in royal service until the first year of Cyrus.

The presidents and princes envied Daniel because he advanced above them. The cause of envy is everything that is good. The better a man is the worse he is thought of by his rivals. The effect of envy is everything that is bad. Those that envied Daniel sought no less than his ruin. His enemies set spies upon him; they sought to find occasion against him. They concluded, at length, that they should not find any occasion against him except concerning the law of His God.

Daniel was taken captive along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to Babylon between the ages of 12 and 16. After going into captivity, their names were changed, Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego). Although he was young, he kept the laws of God, for more than 60 years of his life in Babylon. Daniel faced many challenges, but in all those years, the challenges made him more committed to God. Difficulties and troubles shouldn’t make us leave God but draw us closer to Him. God is seeking the young and old to make a commitment to serve Him according to His written instructions.

The presidents and princes envied him because of his excellent spirit that was manifested through his behavior and character. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s delicacies (But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuch that he might not defile himself – Daniel 7:8). Here’s a child purposing in his heart to obey the Word of God, we as adults should have that same tenacity to please God by not defiling our temple with what we’re looking and listening to, and actions that defile our bodies. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that he couldn’t remember, but the dream troubled his spirit. The magicians, astrologers, and Chaldean couldn’t tell him the dream nor interpret the dream and because of this, a decree was given to destroy all the wise men of Babylon including Daniel and his companions.

When Daniel heard about the decree, he and his companion begin to seek God in prayer. God gave them the knowledge of what the king had dreamed and gave them the interpretation of the dream. Because God had given Daniel and his companions favor by giving them the interpretation of the dream, Daniel was promoted to chief of the governors, and his companions were promoted rulers over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Although Daniel was promoted to be in the king’s court, he didn’t forget God neither did he receive pride because of his position or title. Many have lost their focus on God and they focus on the gift and their title. The gifts belong to God, the title was given by Jesus when He ascended into heaven, we’re just the vessel they use.

Daniel was steadfast and unmovable in his faith in God and his faithfulness to God. When we stand for the Word of God, no matter what circumstances or challenges comes into our life, Satan and people who deny the power of God will not like you. They will dig ditches, throw stones and try to influence you to sin, and then once you sin, their words will be “I know it wasn’t nothing to them anyway”. When they couldn’t get Daniel to sin, they tried to throw a stumbling block by making a decree. The decree was no one could make a petition of any god including Daniel’s God for thirty days, and if they did, they were to be thrown in the lion’s den.

Daniel was aware of the decree, but he didn’t allow that to stop him from praying. Many have stopped praying and their life wasn’t threatened or in danger. This young man was committed to prayer and his life to God. After the decree, Daniel went to his chambers and prayed liked he usually did. The men went to the king and reminded him of the decree, and because the decree had been made, the king couldn’t reverse it. Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den, but God didn’t allow the lions to touch Daniel, and the people who were digging the ditch, the king commanded them to be brought to the lion’s den, them and their family. God will never leave or forsake those who live uprightly before Him, no attack or lie will prevail against the people of God. Live to please God, and He will take care and perfect every circumstance and problem that concerns you!

For someone reason, professing Christians don’t want to pray until there is a need, but as Christian, we should be praying daily. Matter of fact, prayers and thanksgiving should be throughout the day. Believe me, it’s always something or someone you and I can be praying for. Without prayer, we don’t have an intimate relationship with our Father. It’s prayer that makes Him know us by name, it’s a heart of gratitude that gets His attention.  A lack of prayer is like a fish without water, prayer keeps us connected to the Father and builds faith. So when the storms of life rise, our life of prayer will sustain us in the hard times.