Pray FirstSample

DEVOTIONAL

Making prayer a priority is something we see throughout the stories of God’s people in the Bible. Famously, the prophet Daniel prioritized prayer so much that he was not only well-known for it, but his prayer practice actually gave the enemies of God a chance to arrest him (vv. 3-16).

What’s interesting about this story isn’t necessarily that Daniel’s enemies knew he prayed regularly at home. Daniel was a Jew after all, living in exile. He would have stood out all the time. The Babylonian administrators and satraps who were envious of the role King Darius had given him could have easily tracked a man like Daniel, who returned home three times a day.

What’s interesting is that Daniel prayed first. He didn’t use the administrative power he’d been given by the king (vv. 1-2) to immediately challenge the new decree. Perhaps he could have done so? Perhaps he could’ve swayed the king to annul the decree before his arrest? But rather than exercise the power he had, or use his gifts and experience as an administrator (1:19-20 and 2:48), Daniel prioritized a conversation with God. Daniel went home and prayed first.

It's easy to forget to pray. There’s always a screen, an alert, or a popup in our modern world that’s ready to distract us with something new. Even when the screens aren’t glowing, daily life is nonstop. Work, school, daycare, volunteering, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc. There is always something to do.

In today’s video clip, pastor Chris Hodges says, “there’s something very, very special about starting the day [by] spending a few minutes with God.” It may not be possible for you to go home three times a day to pray like Daniel did. But perhaps you can make it a priority to pray at least once a day. Whether its first thing in the morning or at some other time, making prayer a priority will break you out of your bustling routine and provide you with a quiet moment with God.

REFLECTION

Pastor Chris Hodges encourages us to set aside a time for prayer each morning. Are you able to do so this week? If not, what would you need to do to make morning prayer part of your life?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. What does it look like in practical terms to “pray continually”?

Are there other times that you prioritize prayer—perhaps before meals or at bedtime? Why or why not?

PRAYER

Re-read King Darius’s words in Daniel 6:26-27. Use them as a model for prayer today. The king declared the power and dominion of God, then recalled a specific miracle he’d witnessed (Daniel’s rescue). Try to pray similarly, naming something miraculous you’ve seen or experienced.