Introduction: Every child in church soon learns the story of Daniel in the den of lions. It is a riveting tale of courage and supernatural deliverance. Central to the story is the faithfulness of Daniel. His only weakness was that his faithfulness was so strong that it could be used to trap him. But, as we all know, God rewards faithfulness and Daniel was delivered from the mouth of the lions.

1. PROMOTION (Daniel 6:1-3)
1. Princes (Daniel 6:1)
2. Presidents (Daniel 6:2; Psalm 75:6-7)
3. Preference (Daniel 6:3)
2. PLOTTING (Daniel 6:4-9)
1. They Found No Fault (Daniel 6:4; 1 Peter 2:12-15, 19-20; 1 Peter 4:12-16)
2. They Attacked his Faith (Daniel 6:5; Acts 4:18-20)
3. They Fooled the King (Daniel 6:6-9)
3. PRAYER (Daniel 6:10-11)
1. His Perception; he knew what the cost would be (Luke 14:28-30)
2. His Place
1. In his chamber
2. His windows open
3. His Position; on his knees
4. His Pattern; three times a day (Psalm 55:17)
5. His Praise; giving thanks
4. PROSECUTION (Daniel 6:12-15)
1. The Accusation of Daniel (Daniel 6:12-13)
2. The Pressure on the King (Daniel 6:14-15)
5. PERSECUTION (Daniel 6:16-18)
1. The Den of Lions (Daniel 6:16); its fierceness
2. The Sealed Door (Daniel 6:17); its finality
3. The Long Night (Daniel 6:18); its duration
6. PROVISION (Daniel 6:19-23)
1. The King’s Question (Daniel 6:19-20); Is God able?
2. Daniel’s Answer (Daniel 6:21-23)
7. PROSPERITY (Daniel 6:24-28)
1. His Enemies Destroyed (Daniel 6:24)
2. His Faith Honored (Daniel 6:25-27)
3. His Life Rewarded (Daniel 6:28)
8. SPECIAL NOTES: OUR PLAN FOR PRAYER
1. You will not pray faithfully unless you have a plan and stick to it. Without a plan and determination, prayer is the first thing that goes when things get busy or stressed.
2. Daily Prayer – Central to the Christian’s prayer life is a daily time set apart for dedicated, serious time with God. Nothing much will happen in the work of the ministry when this time is not taken seriously.
1. Time
1. Best when practiced the same time every day
2. Best time is in the morning (Psalm 5:3)
1. Your mind is refreshed after a night’s rest
2. The time of prayer prepares you for the work of the day
2. Place
1. Best when practiced in the same place each time
2. Your mind learns to associate this place and time with prayer (Luke 22:39)
3. Your family learns your prayer place and schedule and can learn to respect this time as well
3. Position
1. Prayer can effectively take place in numerous bodily positions. You can lie on your face, kneel, sit, stand, and even walk while praying.
2. Position is largely a matter of preference or practicality (for instance, some may not be able to kneel for long periods of time). However, the lower positions (such as lying on the face or kneeling) are usually associated with repentance and pleading while the upright positions (standing or walking) tend more to conversational prayer when you are talking things over with God.
1. The Confederate General Stonewall Jackson preferred to walk while praying out loud. Praying aloud helped to keep him focused and walking helped to keep him awake. Jackson was notorious for falling asleep when he sat still for a few moments.
2. Others may begin by kneeling during a time of confession and praise and then stand or walk when praying for specific requests.
3. Find out what works best for you. The scriptures do not command one way or another.
3. Most people think of praying with their eyes closed. However, this may not always be practical and it is not commanded in scripture.
4. Many people, as Stonewall Jackson, find that praying aloud helps to focus the mind on what is being said. If someone else is nearby, the prayer may be simply mouthed with little or no voice.
4. Approach
1. It is best to learn a basic approach to the parts of prayer so that you do not have to think too much about the structure of your prayer while you are praying.
2. Some use the basic pattern of the Model Prayer (often called the Lord’s Prayer) as a guide (Matthew 6:9-13)
3. Here is one possible approach:
1. Praise
2. Thanksgiving
3. Confession
4. Personal needs
5. Petitions for Others
3. Daily Prayer Stops
1. In addition to one time of serious prayer, you need to have several times when you turn your heart to God in prayer (Psalm 55:17; Daniel 6:10; Psalm 119:164).
2. When going to bed. The evening is actually the beginning of the next day. Get your mind on holy things as you go to bed and it will help you as you rise the next morning. While you are falling to sleep is also a great time to go over your memory verses.
3. When rising. Your first thoughts should be of the Lord when you rise in the morning.
4. At meals. When you thank the Lord for your meals, this is also a time to briefly focus on the Lord and your obedience to Him for the day.
5. When starting a new project or meeting, it is good to turn your heart to God in prayer for guidance and wisdom.
6. You may find other times to build in a short prayer during the day.
7. These repetitive times of prayer keep you from getting too far away from the Lord between times of prayer.
4. Prayerful Heart
1. You need to have a continuous attitude of prayer throughout the day (Colossians 4:2)
2. Learn to seek God’s wisdom in the decisions you make throughout the day. A quick prayer can be said under your breath without slowing down.
3. Practice the art of thankfulness throughout the day for every blessing received from God (Ephesians 5:4, 20)
4. Habitually ask God for help in the smallest of needs and then thank Him for answered prayer. This kind of praying will increase your faith.

Conclusion: God wants us to be faithful as was Daniel. We need to learn to be faithful in the spiritual practices of love and obedience to the Lord. We need especially to be faithful in our time of prayer with the Lord.

Memory Verses:

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Psalm 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.