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November 22, 2018

Daniel 6:10-13

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.”

New International Version (NIV)

Who decides whether you pray? Can the government disallow prayer? From time to time someone will say to me, “The government won’t let children pray in schools anymore.” Many of you may remember a time when principals and teachers prayed with their kids in public school. Prayers were read over the intercom. When this practice was challenged as a government establishment of religion, all such prayers led by school employees were disallowed.

In Daniel’s day, his competitors caught him praying and decided to use it against him. They outlawed prayer to anyone except King Darius. Nevertheless, Daniel continued to pray. This landed him in the lion’s den, where God protected him. This protection resulted in his release and led King Darius to pray and offer praise to God.

You can pray today. Even if the government disallowed it you could pray today. Long after prayers led by school employees were forbidden, I led prayer meetings on my high school campuses with other believers. Our students are still allowed to pray. They can bring Bibles with them to school and read them. This may invite questions or ridicule, but it is not illegal. There may come a day when these things are made illegal here as they are in other countries. Know this: Christianity so often flourishes in countries where it is made illegal.

The real question is, what will Christians do with our freedom of religion? Who decides whether you pray and give thanks to God on this Thanksgiving day? You do. Will you pray? Will you thank him? Take five minutes today and each day of this week, at the same time of day. Thank God for three specific things. Research says it will benefit you in amazing ways as you leave anxiety behind and begin to look for good all around you.

Pray King Darius’s prayer with me today:

“God, you are the living God who endures forever. Your kingdom will not be destroyed and your dominion has no end. You rescue, deliver, perform signs and wonders in the heavens and the earth.” As you rescued Daniel from the lions, you have delivered us from sin and the evil one today. So we praise you. How can we not praise you? In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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