Establish A Habit Of Prayer
Have you failed to establish a habit of prayer? Do you read your Bible and then rush on with your day?
It’s easy to be so busy doing all the mom things that prayer gets pushed to the back-burner. It’s not that you intend to neglect prayer but when life gets busy, it’s easy to push the conversation you so desperately want with the Lord off to another moment.
The other day, I looked up the next verse from my” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”> ” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>30-Days of Prayerfulness that I would copy and illustrate. I was drawn into reading the whole of Daniel 6 to grasp the context of verse ten.
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. Daniel 6:10
In Daniel 6, King Darius established 120 governors to serve him in the various provinces of his entire kingdom. He also chose three high officials over these governors. Daniel was one of them.
The way it worked was that these governors gave an account to the high officials so that everything in King Darius’ empire ran smoothly.
Daniel was blessed by the Lord and became very successful and distinguished because of his excellent spirit and faithfulness to God.
As I read this chapter, I considered whether I was as faithful to God as Daniel and how I could draw closer to Jesus by establishing a habit of prayer.
It’s not that I don’t pray. I’m sure if you know Jesus personally, you do too. For me, I need to move on with my day after spending quite a bit of time in my Bible.
Prayer is the most essential part of our Quiet Time. I don’t want to be more intentional with my time of prayer with my Lord.
If this is your heart’s desire, let’s learn from Daniel’s example of establishing a habit of prayer.
Daniel didn’t wait until life got hard to establish his prayer habit. He started praying before he ended up with the lions!
How Daniel Ended Up with the Lions!
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.
King Darius found Daniel to be very trustworthy and intended on setting him in authority over his whole kingdom.
The other governors saw the success of Daniel and envied him for his power and sought to find something wrong with him. They could find no ground for complaint or fault against him except in his faithfulness to his God.
The only way to find fault in Daniel was to trap him using the law of his God. They knew Daniel would not compromise in his devotion to God.
The governors designed a decree that King Darius unknowingly signed into law that would force an injunction against whoever would make a petition to any god or man other than King Darius for 30 days.
The consequence would be the den of lions!
King Darius signed this petition according to the law of the Medes and Persians. These laws were unalterable according to established customs of that time. These were the laws established in ancient Babylon in present-day Iran and first established by Cyrus the Great.
King Darius had no idea of this trap or he would never have signed this document. He had a lot of respect for Daniel.
Daniel Established a Habit of Prayer
Before Daniel ever ended up in the Lion’s Den, he had established a habit of prayer.
Once Daniel realized that King Darius had signed this decree, he didn’t hesitate and didn’t need to think hard about what he would do next.
Daniel already had established a habit of prayer and simply continued to do what he always did.
Pray!
It says in Daniel 6:10 that he went to his house and prayed.
He not only prayed but opened his windows and prayed!
He wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed to pray.
He continued to pray three times a day like he always had prayed.
He not only prayed but GAVE THANKS before his God as he had done PREVIOUSLY.
He didn’t panic pray or establish a prayer habit in his moment of distress. He was accustomed to praying and so it was natural and easy to talk to his best friend, Jesus.
Learn to Establish A Habit of Prayer
Even if you’re going through a hard place in your life, it’s not too late to learn to establish a habit of prayer.
I’m challenging myself too as I rush into my day often before spending some dedicated time in prayer.
Yes, I pray as I read my Bible or as I go through my day.
How much better to be like Daniel and spend intentional time in prayer every single day.
Here is what I learned from Daniel:
There is so much to learn from Daniel’s habit of prayer.
He was faithful not only in his job for King Darius but in his devotion and relationship with God.
His success was because of his faithfulness to God and how God poured out His Spirit through Daniel.
Going Deeper with God Printable Pack
Going Deeper with God is a wonderful Printable Pack with 9 digital printables for your Quiet Time!
Your Success
Your success is established through your faithfulness to God just like Daniel’s.
Success isn’t found in any method other than God granting it to you through your faithfulness to Him. In other words, don’t place your faith in your level of success but in God alone.
Daniel found success in the job God had given to him through establishing a habit of prayer.
He didn’t suddenly start praying when the situation got tough.
When the situation presented a huge obstacle, Daniel didn’t run and hide. Instead, he continued bravely and courageously with his already established habit, openly for all to see and hear.
I don’t know if you’re in an easy or difficult season in life right now. You might be going through a deep struggle of some sort.
It’s not too late to start establishing a habit of fervent prayer. Even panic prayers are welcomed by God.
It’s better and much easier to culture a prayer habit during easier times but it’s never too late.
Yesterday wasn’t an easy one for me. I lay in bed long into the night praying over my situation.
I could always pray more, pray better.
That’s why I have decided to establish a habit of prayer like Daniel.
Praying three times a day is a great way to start praying continuously and fervently.
It is always easier when times get hard to be prepared and more connected to God so that my responses to the situation are filled with wisdom and more in line with God.
Daniel had an excellent spirit in him. The high officials and governors couldn’t find any complaint or fault in him. He was faithful to God and so filled with the Lord that no error or fault was found in him.
The Lord can fill you and me in the same way He filled Daniel with His spirit so many years ago.
We simply have to establish a habit of prayer like Daniel!
Daniel 6 has spoken to my heart and I want to be more faithful and more prayerful to prepare me for the difficult seasons, just like Daniel. How can I pray for you?
Wouldn’t you just LOVE to join me in my Bible Journaling adventure? A few years ago, I had NOT drawn one single thing since grade school. Get my 5 Bible Journaling Tips! You don’t even have to be artistic to learn along with me!
Click the Pic and Learn More!
So much is written for married people, and those with children. It makes single people feel left out, lonely, and 2nd rate.
Oh Janice! You are NOT second rate or forgotten. Many of my friends are single. The most radiant one, I’ve known since we were both much younger. She blesses everyone with her beay=utiful smile. God loves you so much!