Today’s Devotion
Topic: Daniel’s Custom
Text: Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Amen
The text above is preceded by King Darius being convinced to sign a decree permitting no man to petition any god or man for thirty (30) days. Right after that, Daniel was caught flouting the rule.
It was not because Daniel was not obedient, but because he had a better custom than what King Darius had decreed. The Bible makes us understand that it was Daniel’s custom to pray three (3) times a day on his knees.
Today, we’re going to learn some amazing characteristics of a true believer. Daniel had, as his custom, to kneel and pray to God three (3) times a day. Even the signed decree did not deter him from praying. He was determined to fellowship with God no matter what; come what may. Beloved in Christ, is that your resolution too?
Again, we learn that Daniel went to his upper room; his personal solitude. To avoid distractions and interruptions, he excused himself from every other person so he could be with God. Sometimes we explain that prayer is difficult because we do not have our own private rooms. Others say that it’s difficult to pray alone; they barely know what else to say after 5 minutes into that prayer. A few others blame their “prayerlessness” on the distractions of relatives and house mates.
For instance, a pastor inquired from a Christian sister why she was not spending more time with God in prayer now like she used to. She said “Pastor, my room is always like a reception desk; everyone in my house troops in at anytime.”
Well, all the above may be true, but honestly when the Bible admonished us to pray at all times without ceasing, it didn’t limit us to certain locations and places. And this is because prayer can be said everywhere.
When we are really determined to pray, very little can hinder us. Even if it means praying at odd places such as the garage, washroom or kitchen, God is ever ready to listen.
We discover in Daniel chapter 6 that he was arrested and sent to the lions’ den, but his custom of daily prayers helped him. The angel of the Lord had gone ahead of him that day to shut the lions’ mouths. Imagine what Daniel’s story would have been if he hadn’t been a man of consistent prayer. But glory be to God; Daniel didn’t have to wait till the day of trouble before praying!
What do we see in our generation? We pray only when:
1. We need employment.
2. We need a visa.
3. We need a good grade or average.
4. We want a husband, wife or children …
5. We need a business breakthrough
Beloved, begin to pray now and tell God to help you to be consistent in your prayer life. It is His desire that you fellowship with Him at ALL TIMES. He has so much to share with and show you than just granting you material blessings and breakthroughs. He wants to be your intimate friend.
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