Wednesday 24 April 2013
- Bible Book:
- Daniel
Background
One of the toughest things for many people to do is work out atime, place or style that helps them to pray. Often it can feel asthough words are being spoken and then echo in a voidsomewhere.
This story of Daniel is one where prayer underpins his rise tosuccess in Babylon, his run-ins with jealous officials and his verylifestyle. The reason he ended up in the lions' den (see
In today's passage there is a real encouragement for the momentswhen it feels that prayers are just hitting the ceiling andbouncing back.
Daniel had been reading the words of a prophet - Jeremiah - andrealised the Jews' lack of faithfulness was going to lead to theirexile in Babylon lasting 70 years. He begins to pray on behalf ofhis people, asking for forgiveness.
As he prays, Gabriel, appears. He is reckoned to be the sameangel who appears to Zacharias (
In the passage, the crucial thing isn't that an angel appeared,but that Gabriel tells Daniel his prayers are not wasted.
Gabriel says: "At the beginning of your supplications a wordwent out, and I have come to declare it, for you are greatlybeloved."
It's one of the few occasions in Scripture where there is such astrong indication that God pays attention to prayer. Why? Well,according to the angel, it's because of God's character.
It wasn't that God listened to Daniel and responded to hiswords. Daniel is told: "At the beginning of your supplications aword went out." Rather God responded the moment a faithful followerwent down on their knees and reached out in prayer.
Perhaps the secret to prayer is first to grasp how much Godloves each of us and then the conversation becomes easier.
To Ponder
- Can you recall a time when your prayers have been answeredquickly? If so, what happened?
- What may make prayer easier for you?