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Prayer is one of the pillars of Islamic faith, a practice required of devout Muslims five times a day. One of the particular details to be observed is that prayers should be offered while kneeling and facing the direction of the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a practice some scholars believe is done in imitation of Daniel's method of prayer toward Jerusalem recorded in today's reading.
No one knows for sure where Daniel learned this practice. Praying toward Jerusalem and praying three times a day aren't specifically mandated anywhere in the Old Testament, although the general idea is alluded to in passages like 1 Kings 8:44. The point is that Daniel didn't allow the faith of his homeland to dissolve. Rather than being influenced by the foreign rituals practiced all around him, Daniel influenced his culture by displaying faith worthy of imitation.
We all know that Daniel didn't let the decree stop his faithful prayers to God, but how he went about it deserves a closer look. If a modern-day ban on prayer were issued, we might expect demonstrations, rallies, and protests from throughout the church. Daniel didn't wage a publicity war. The first thing he did was pray. And we have two clues about the content of his prayer.
First, the text specifically mentions that Daniel thanked God (v. 10). He didn't complain to God. He thanked Him just like he always did. Secondly, verse 11 states that the men who had plotted against Daniel found him asking for God's help. The verses that follow show precisely why Daniel needed God's help. He was cast into the lions' den for breaking the king's new law, even though the king himself regretted having to do so.
The evil schemers' trick had worked. Ironically for Daniel, obeying God was exactly what the wicked men were hoping he would do. The king was forced by his own foolishness to place his seal of approval on the stone covering the den. But he came close to violating his own decree and praying to God for Daniel's rescue (v. 16).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Daniel asked for help before he was in danger. That's a valuable lesson for us, especially if we tend to pray only in the difficult times of our lives. Establishing a prayer routine doesn't make our prayer any less genuine or heartfelt. Consider devoting as much time to praying as you do to eating. Instead of a quick prayer at the table, find a quiet place for half an hour. Do it before you come face-to-face with the lions in your life.
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