Single-Minded Daniel

I’m sure you all remember the story of Daniel and the lion’s den. Here’s a little review for prayer:

Remember Daniel was made one of three governors over the 120 satraps (regional rulers) in King Darius’ administration. There was a plot hatched by the satraps, persuading the king to sign a decree saying that anyone worshipping a god or man other than King Darius would be thrown into a den of lions.What was Daniel’s response to the decree?

Daniel 6:10-12 states: “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, “giving thanks” to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men (the satraps) went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree.Notice that Daniel, not saying a word in spite of the decree, heads straight to his room, boldly throws open the windows (which would allow anyone to see), and falls to his knees praying three times a day and giving thanks to God just like he had always done. He’s certainly not cowering in fear. 

What would be our response in crisis? What would our children and grandchildren’s responses be in crisis? 

1) Father please make us single-minded like Daniel and “make our joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

2) Father please instill in us that our “citizenship is in heaven. And to eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”(Phil 3:20-1)

Eventually a report from the satraps reaches King Darius that Daniel has prayed to his God. Daniel is then thrown into the lion’s den. “So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

“Continually! ” What a profound word demonstrating the model of Daniel’s faithful modeling of God to his godless witnesses, King Darius and his administration. 

3) Father may we “in all things show ourselves to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,”(Titus 2:7)

4) Father may we “Be imitators, just as I also am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1)

“Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.” (Dan. 6:18)

Here we see a heathen king favoring Daniel so much that he spent the night fasting for him(probably as he had seen Daniel fasting), refusing his normal evening festivities, and sleepless throughout the night.

5) Father please pour out your favor on us. “Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.(Psalm 5:12

6) For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.(Ps.84:11) Father, may we walk blameless before you in abundant favor.

The next morning the king was greatly pleased to find Daniel alive! “Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:”

“May you prosper greatly!

 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For He is the living God and he endures forever;

his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.

He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.

He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Here we see that Daniel’s prayers impacted all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth… One man in obedience by God’s spirit.

 Also Daniel served three kings in his lifetime, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius and Cyrus.  “So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” And we know that Daniel prospered during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign as well. 

It didn’t matter at all who was king then or even now in our country who is president, vice-president, your boss or any other leader. God is sovereign and his favor pours out on all who are faithful and obedient to Him. 

7) May we understand fully the impact of prayer to transform a nation or nations.

“See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:2-3)

 May we surrender ourselves to God completely and be single-minded in our love and obedience to God so that we are able to breakthrough any obstacles hindered by leaders or any others for the glory of God and His kingdom.

“Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel 2:20-21)

Blessings,

Karen