WHAT DO YOU DO in desperate times? Do you get angry or lose it, or do you pray?
You need a moment to set aside a moment to humble yourself—a time to pray and stand strong.
The Narrative
DANIEL'S EXCEPTIONAL abilities distinguished him from the other governors in Babylon, and the king decided to appoint him over the entire realm.
This did not sit well with the other leaders. They tried to find ways to level charges against him on the way he supervised the kingdom.
But they found nothing to trap him, so they changed the rules.
They told the king to write an ordinance and sign it into law—one that he cannot rescind—and he did.
When they saw Daniel praying and seeking God's help, they told the king.
Daniel was eventually thrown into the lion's den, but God saved him. (Daniel 6:1-25)
If there was anything Daniel understood, it was that God had a place in every subject—and you can't shut Him out.
Here are two ways to stand strong in prayers:
Praying for others
DANIEL HAD DONE well for himself—he had found favour with the king.
One day, as he read the scriptures, he discovered the word of the Lord given to Prophet Jeremiah, and he was torn apart. (Daniel 9:1-2)
Daniel knew he needed to pray. He set aside time to spend with the Lord and intercede for his people.
He understood that you are either an intercessor or an accuser.
It's easier to pray for oneself than pray for others because you can easily focus on your problems than someone else's challenges.
The bible admonishes us to pray for one another—the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)
When you are praying for others, you love them—when you are interceding for people, you align yourself to God's will and position yourself to receive from Him.
And praying for others is an indication that you have their best interest at heart.
When Jesus prayed for Peter, he taught him what to do to his brethren. (Luke 22:32)
He showed Peter how to love his fellow apostles.
Praying the Will of God
A PERSON who prays God's Will surrenders his life and the outcome of his prayers to God.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 4:14-15)
When you seek God's Will, you are honest with God concerning what you want in prayer.
You set aside what you want in life for His desire—you put God's Will before yours and seek His Kingdom first. (Matthew 6:33)
Jesus did the same thing in the Garden of Gethsemane when he said, "Not My Will but Yours be done." (Luke 22:42)
Whenever you seek God's Will, you seek Him—and He will draw close to you. (James 4:8)
Even as you pray for your country, pray that His Will be done in your government and that He will raise men and women that will lead it aright. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
No matter the place, the shape or time, we need a healthy hand to move things—we need the hand of God to move us forward.
Aim at heaven, and you'll have the earth thrown in
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
DO YOU SEE dark foreboding clouds? If you do, you're right.
Daniel saw the same, but he learned to deal with an ominous future on his knees—prayer changes things.
Aim at Heaven, and you will get Earth thrown in: aim at Earth, and you will get neither – C.S. Lewis.
When next you pray, pray with God's Will in mind and you'll aim at heaven.