Book of Danielनमुना

Facing an imminent death sentence, we find Daniel in this passage in a place of desperation. The situation was incredibly daunting and it no doubt filled him with fear.

Daniel’s next step was so simple, and yet so prescriptive for you and I thousands of years later. He returned to his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and urged them to join him in prayer. He didn’t sit in his fear, he acted in prayer.

The fact that his first response was not just to pray, but to ask his friends to pray as well, underscores the importance of communal support and collective intercession in times of crises. Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV) says, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." The outworking of our faith was never intended to be private. We are called to follow Jesus within the context of community

God met the urgency and sincerity of their prayers with a divine response. God revealed the mystery to Daniel in a vision during the night. This moment of revelation was not just an answer to a prayer for survival, but it was a profound demonstration of God’s power, wisdom, and provision.

Daniel’s immediate response was praise. His prayer of thanksgiving is profound and theologically rich, recognizing God’s eternal wisdom and power. In this prayer, Daniel acknowledges several attributes of God:

1. His Sovereignty and Power: “...wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.”
2. His Source of Wisdom: “He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”
3. His Revealer of Mysteries: “He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”

In moments of desperation, we are called to do something that is equally simple and effective: Pray First. Prayer should always be our first response, not our last resort.

Prayer

Lord, teach us to depend on You in times of crisis. Give us the wisdom to seek Your guidance through prayer and the humility to involve our community in our times of need. May our hearts be filled with praise as we witness Your faithfulness. Amen.