Living Faithful in a Faithless Land: A Study of DanielSample

Week 2: Making a Stand For God

Prayer Meeting Under the Threat of Death

Read: Daniel 2:1-18

SOAP: Daniel 2:17-18

“Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter. He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.”

Into the Text

King Nebuchadnezzar was suffering from insomnia. His sleep was disturbed by a dream, so he called in some of his wise men. However, he wouldn’t tell them the dream. He was worried they would simply make something up to make him feel better, so he decided to test them. The wise men deemed that what the king was asking was too difficult. They said no man could disclose his dream.

Nebuchadnezzar became furious! What was the point of having wise men who tell you nothing? Out of his anger, he sent out a decree – kill ALL the wise men of Babylon, even those who weren’t in the meeting.

Daniel and his friends were considered to be part of the wise men of Babylon. When the king’s servant, Arioch, arrived, Daniel asked him what this was about. Bravely, Daniel went to the king and asked for time to give him an answer. Amazingly, he was granted more time.

In Daniel 1:17, we were told God gave Daniel a special gift - insight into all kinds of visions and dreams. Daniel was going to use the gifts God gave him to bring glory to God.

Daniel gathered his friends and told them what was going on. They started a prayer meeting under the threat of death.

In times of crisis, do you panic or pray? Maybe both! Prayer is such a great gift. We can bring everything to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). When we remember who God is, often our hearts are calmed as our perspective is changed.

Do you have praying friends, godly, trustworthy women you can ask for prayer when something big or small is troubling you? How good are you at being vulnerable and asking for prayer for yourself?

Are you a praying friend? When someone asks you for prayer, don’t just say you will pray. Do it! If you can pray with them in that moment, even better. Encourage someone today by telling them that you are praying.

Prayer

God of mercy and grace, I praise you for your unending love, which you lavished on me. I thank you for the gift of prayer. May I be bold in my prayers for others. Lord, I pray for those who have asked me for prayer. Be merciful and strengthen them. May they reflect the character of Christ in their circumstances. Amen.