On Speaking Terms with God
16. Then Daniel went in and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would show the king the interpretation of his dream.
17. Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18. That they would desire mercies of the God of Heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven.
Daniel 2:16-19
It’s Praying Time
It is good to know that God listens to our prayers, especially when we are facing a crisis. But is that the only time that we call upon the Lord? Someone has said that “last minute prayers are like trying to buy insurance after you have had an accident.” Such emergency prayers are filled with doubt as to whether God will hear us. Whether in a crisis or not, it is always comforting to know that God listens and cares deeply about what happens to us in life. The Scripture text bears witness that God indeed, hears us in the time of trouble. Daniel and his three friends were faced with pending doom if they could not interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. As they entered into fervent prayer, they prayed with confidence that God would show them mercy. I’m fairly certain that the situations we face are not the same as those of Daniel but the needs are nonetheless important to God. He wants to hear from us. In Psalm 5:3, the psalmist asks, “Give ear to my words O Lord, consider my meditation … listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for unto You will I pray.” God indeed, wants us to pray.
While God hears us in a crisis, God also desires to hear us when thing are not turning upside down. Why not call upon God in the good times? For that reason, we should earnestly desire to be on speaking terms with God. He has so much to share with us in the time of prayer. We have so much that we can express to God through prayer. We can show our gratitude for His faithfulness. We can thank God for the many blessings that He has bestowed upon us. It is just good to pray and to be on speaking terms with God. Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions … That they would desire mercies of the God of Heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. It is my belief that what Daniel was seeking was more than a way out. They wanted to hear from Heaven and to receive God’s Mercy.
It occurred to me that prayer is more than a glorified 911 call. Prayer is for all intents and purposes, a wonderful conversation with our Heavenly Father. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father which art in Heaven.” That is certainly more than an emergency call. There is a two-fold purpose for prayer. First it is always to present ourselves to God with all of our weaknesses and failures because that is what we are without Him. Secondly, prayer is our only way to receive God’s strength. What Jesus taught us about prayer, was in fact, the same thing that He practiced. He practiced total dependence upon God and then to receive complete empowerment by God. That is a phenomenal concept! Please note how Daniel and his friends approached God’s throne. They were completely humble and powerless. They recognized that God was their only source of strength. Then, as they prayed, they were completely empowered by God with the request that they had asked. The God of Heaven showed them what the king had dreamed. This tremendous feat would have been utterly impossible had they sought the revelation from any other source. Here is the incredible news. You and I have access to the same God and we can gain insight into any secret in life. You must simply be on speaking terms with God.
Where to Go to Pray?
The place of prayer also becomes extremely important. If you recall from other passages in Daniel, his own home was the go-to-place for prayer. Daniel would open his windows toward Jerusalem and call on the God of Heaven. I believe that the home was more than a place of rest; it was their place of refuge from the trials of life. There are four principles involved in finding a place to pray. These are critical for every believer. We must find a place of seclusion. We must find a place to sacrifice. We must find a place of separation. Finally, we must find a place to receive strength. Seclusion, sacrifice, separation, and strength are important elements. Here is how they work in prayer.
First, the place of seclusion takes the believer away from the cares and even the problem itself. Some even call this “the secret place.” Psalm 91 states, he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. That is more than a spiritual phrase; it is the place where God Almighty calls His children away from the cares and troubles of this world. That place is more spiritual than natural. Many have approached that place of seclusion while lying on a hospital bed. Others have found that place while in a lonely jail cell. It is a grand place. It is a glorious place. It is God’s place. In His Presence there is fullness of joy … at His Right Hand, there are pleasures ever more. In that secluded place, our Father in Heaven invites us to get away from it all and find everything we need in Him.
Second, the place of prayer is also the place of sacrifice. While we certainly can expect things from God, we must realize that He expects something from us. Throughout the Bible, people like Abraham, Moses, David, and others offered sacrifices to God. It was a part of their worship to give something to God. No, they were not trying to buy a blessing. That must never be the motive. They were however, seeking to honor God with something as an expression of their sincerity. We are told by the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1, to present our bodies as a “living sacrifice” holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. Ironically, for Daniel and his companions, the king wanted them dead, but Daniel presented himself as a living sacrifice for God to use in a miraculous way. This is so important because if God has put something on our hearts to pray about, He will usually prepare us for participation in bringing about the results. So praying is not just “getting something from God” but rather presenting ourselves to God for Him to bring about blessings for everyone. While the verse states that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah did not want to perish with the wise men of Babylon, God was preparing them so that their answer would actually spare the other wise men as well. Isn’t that amazing?
The third place of prayer is that of separation. It is one thing to be in seclusion with God. That is wonderful, but there must also be a separation. It is fantastic to be in a place of sacrifice in prayer, but we must also find that place of separation. When you are in prayer, you are no longer focused on worldly answers. As God commanded Moses, so we are instructed to cease our worldly walk and take our shoes off in prayer. Moses practiced that spiritual separation to the point that God showed him things “in the mount” and Moses would then share those heavenly things with the people of Israel. The words of the hymn probably phrased it best:
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer – that calls me from a world of care.
And bids me at my Father’s Throne – make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief. My soul has often found relief.
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare – by thy return sweet hour of prayer.
That spiritual separation opens both our heart and our mind to Heaven’s answer and Heaven’s blessing. Thy Kingdom come and Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. How can we share Heavenly things without finding that place of separation from the world? When we are on speaking terms with God we find such a Heavenly place.
Lastly, in prayer we come to a place of strength. God strengthens us while we are praying and calling on Him. Strength from God is what we need more than freedom from the problems. We need God’s strength more than having our needs met. To put it bluntly, we need God. When the child of God receives God’s strength, they are filled with the Holy Spirit’s Power. With that Power they can overcome all the forces that are fighting against them. How else could David face the giant Goliath, had he not found that place of strength in God? How else could Elijah know that God would come through on Mount Carmel had he not spent time with the Lord in prayer? When Daniel and his friends entered into prayer, they were also entering a place of strength. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. The God we serve also loves us to the point that He is willing to give us strength as well as the blessings that we desperately seek. But we must simply wait on the Lord and He will renew our strength.
Before You say “Amen” say “Thank You”
We are so accustomed to thinking that “Amen” is the end of the prayer. That “amen” is really a release for service. Rather than an ending to prayer, it is actually taking the prayer to another level. It is like saying “action.” Amen means to do something as a result of the prayer that has been offered. Please note that Daniel did not end his prayer with an “amen” or so be it. No. They were now empowered to the point that God was now sending them with an action plan. As a matter of fact, the vision that Daniel saw was at the core of prophecy for the nations of the world. Prayer opens up so many new things for the believer by way of Holy Opportunities. Prior to prayer, we are limited by our weakness, our worries, and our wants. After prayer, we receive a fresh new vision of what God says is not only possible but where He has also empowered us to accomplish His Will.
Rather than end the prayer, Daniel continued with heartfelt praise. When a person’s prayer life reflects that they are on good speaking terms with God, prayer automatically continues into praise. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. Despite the fact that they had a deadline to meet with the king, Daniel knew his priorities. If you put God first, the Lord will also put you first. If you offer praise, God will reward those who diligently seek Him. There are no secrets that God will not reveal to those who genuinely enjoy spending time with Him in prayer and then will celebrate with praise. Praise is not merely making noise, even though it sometimes involves that. Prayer is lifting our heart to God and letting Him know that we celebrate His Goodness and Grace. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. After all, we don’t possess very much that we can offer God except our praise. He has given us everything, so why not offer to Him our best praise. Like Daniel, we too can bless the God of Heaven. I will bless the Lord at all times – His praise shall continually be in my mouth.