Pray Without Ceasing 

By Pastor Jeff Seward

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being opened in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he had done before this.”—Daniel 6:10 (KJV)

Daniel faithfully followed God his whole life. Even as a youth, he purposed in his heart to not allow anything, no matter if it meant death, to interfere with his relationship with God. Now, in his eighties, he’s still faithfully living closely with the good Lord. 

As we read today’s Scripture verse, we’ll find that Daniel’s approach to the Lord gives us an excellent example of prayer:

1. He went into his house. In Matthew 6:6 (ESV), Jesus says, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” When Daniel prayed in secret, he wasn’t trying to disrespect the king, he was giving his respect to God. Daniel’s consistent prayer life was not about to change. He had no intention of impressing others. As Pastor David Guzik said, “His time with the Lord was between he and the Lord.” 
2. His windows were opened. King Solomon asked God to notice the prayers of His people when they prayed towards Jerusalem and the temple: “And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place (1 Kings 8:30 NKJV). Daniel prayed according to Scripture—a great way to pray.
3. He kneeled upon his knees three times. This posture is a beautiful, humbling manner to come before the Lord’s throne. Jesus (Luke 22:41), Stephen (Acts 7:60), Peter (Acts 9:40), Luke (Acts 21:5), as well as Paul and other leaders in the church (Acts 20:36) all kneeled. “Kneeling is a begging posture and we must all come to God as beggars.” (Heslop) Tozer says this about prayer in times of trouble, “Safety and peace come only after we have been forced to our knees.” I’ll never forget this godly man from our church who influenced me in my younger years. Whenever we prayed, he would always bend down and pray on his knees. 
4. He gave thanks before his God. Daniel prayed with a thankful heart. Like George Mueller of England from the 1800s who recorded over 50,000 answers to prayer, Daniel believed in God and was thankful for God’s faithfulness. A great verse we should commit to memory is Psalm 107:8 (NKJV) which says, ”Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” 

DIG: What is one lesson you learned from Daniel’s daily prayer life?

DISCOVER: How would you gage your prayer life? Ask the Lord to give you a desire to pray and pray with others, too. Colossians 4:2 (NLT) says, "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."

DO: To pray without ceasing means we can talk with God anytime, anywhere. You can speak with Him while on your knees, while you take a walk, sit in your room, drive in your car, etc. Record your prayers and watch the Lord's work.