By Coach Debbie

We don’t have time to dissect the entire Old Testament book of Daniel right now, and chances are your kid is yelling, “Mom! Mom! Mom !” in the background at this very second.

Long story short: Daniel was a handsome guy with integrity who was rock-solid in his faith.  God gifted him with the ability to understand dreams and visions, which the local king needed often.   Oh, and he’s the one who was thrown in the lions’ den and didn’t die.

Here’s the part we’ll zero in on today:

We want to be like Daniel.

Daniel 9:3 says, “I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. “

He PLEADED.  He FASTED.  In total surrender to the Father.  He sacrificed.  He begged.  He praised.  He was open and honest with God, knowing God was (and is) great, awesome, loving, righteous, merciful, forgiving, active and mighty.  (Go read Daniel 9 for the full version)

Daniel 9’s prayer rehearses God’s attributes:

• Great and awesome
• Keeps His covenant of love
• Righteous
• Merciful
• Forgiving
• Active
• Mighty

Daniel 6:10-11  “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 God, just as he had done before.  Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.”

At one point, the king’s men are trying to bully Daniel because He only worships God instead of man.  Chapter 6 verse 10 reads, “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.”  So what?  Remember, we want to be like this guy.  He prayed on his knees 3 times a day.  He would go home, get alone, drop down, and talk to God.  And notice the verse says, “just as he had done before.”  See, Daniel was praying BEFORE drama began.  It was a habit to conversate with His Maker.

Are we having quality and quantity prayer time with God? 

Let’s mimic Daniel.

We may not be serving a king, but we are serving THE King.

We may not enter a lions’ den, but “your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

We may not decipher dreams and visions, but God has gifted us with many talents that can help others.

No need for legalism; there’s nothing magical that happens if you pray 3 times a day on your knees in the same room.  It’s the principle.  Regularly talking openly with God builds your faith and increases your love for who God is.  He’s no magic genie, sky Santa, wilting grandpa or angry cop.  He is the one who wants relationship with you…daily.

Are we waiting to talk to Him until disaster strikes?