“Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials, because an excellent spirit was in him. The king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Then the officials sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error was found in him. Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any complaint against Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God…’
“‘All the officials… are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king,.. sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law..,which cannot be revoked.’ Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.
“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.” Daniel 6:3-5,7-11
“Be not silent, O God of my praise!
For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,
speaking against me with lying tongues.
They encircle me with words of hate,
and attack me without cause.
They accuse me,
but I give myself to prayer…
He stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.” Psalm 109:1-4,31
Attack from hateful enemies causes many reactions: immediate defense, retaliation, thirst for vengeance, paralyzing fear. For the child of God, whose identity and heart are bound up with Christ, the antidote is simpler and far more effective: prayer.
Prayer takes our eyes off hateful threats and fixes them on Almighty God who reigns above. Thanksgiving lifts anxious concerns for the unknown and reminds us what is known and true. Focused communion with God encompasses us in His strong arms and nestles us beneath His protective wings. Earnest petition transfers our heaviest cares to the Lord’s able shoulders. O fretting soul, where is our upper chamber? (Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6)
Understand the threat. To the house. Windows open to God’s holy presence. Kneel. Three times a day. Give thanks. Customary habit. How rich is a life hid with Christ in God! (Colossians 3:3)
What pressures do we face? What fears loom due to threats from within and without? How are we handling them? Do we default to hand-wringing, or hands opened and lifted in praise? Do we take a posture of combative defense, or humbly bow in desperate dependence? Do we spew vitriol and venom, or recite thanksgiving for all God is doing and how He’ll be glorified? How ingrained is a habit of prayer? Would we ask the Lord to deepen it by turning thought immediately and often to Him? A practice of continual prayer guards our path and reflects the glory of God’s grace in our lives.
Lord, in every battle and encumbrance, pull my mind and desire to You. Keep me thankful and trustful so You are seen and praised. (Daniel 6:25-27)
As the rain and snow 