Freedom is Good News Part 92
/In our previous article we took a look at a couple of prayers given by a couple of prominent men of the bible – David and Daniel. So, we know that they were men of prayer. But how often did they pray?
We are all familiar with the episode in the book of Daniel concerning him being thrown into the lion’s den. But do we know why this happened? A decree was issued by the king of the Medes and Persians that anyone found praying to any god or man beside Darius the king, would be thrown into the lion’s den. This episode is found in the book of Daniel, chapter 6. In verse 10 of this chapter we read, “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 once before.” Daniel’s practice was to pray three times a day and he did so openly, even though it might cost him his life.
And what about King David? This man who wrote the lion’s share (excuse me Daniel, no pun intended) of the Psalms tells us this in Psalm 55, “Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me for my thoughts trouble me and I am distraught … But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress and He hears my voice.” We find here that David prayed as Daniel did, three times a day!! Do you pray three times a day? Let me include myself here – do I pray three times a day?
How near do we want to draw to our Heavenly Father? The bible tells us in several places, to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, all of our strength and all of our life. (Deut. 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30) It tells us to serve the Lord our God with all of our heart and with all of our soul. (Deut. 10:12) It tells us to seek the Lord our God with all of our heart and with all of our life. (Deut. 4:29)
I once brought up these examples of praying three times a day and a listener raised his hand and pointed out what Paul had to say. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Paul writes, “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” In Colossians 4:2 he writes, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” In Philippians 4:6 he writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” In Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, devoted to prayer.”
Paul sets the bar pretty high for us as we consider our relationship with our Heavenly Father and talking with Him in prayer. But, let us remember where we started out; “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe …” (Acts 2:42) Oh, this “awe” thing, and being filled with it; I am sure it is good news!! Don’t forget to pray.