June 25, 2011 … Integrity Is Devoted to Prayer

Passage of the Day: Daniel 6: 10 - 11 … 10 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. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.

My Journal for Today: For today’s devotional in John MacArthur’s, Strength for Today, the Author states flatly, “There is a direct link between prayer and integrity (for the Christian).” As we read in today’s passage, it was the faithful discipline of Daniel’s prayer life that prompted the already jealous Medo-Persian officials in the court of King Darius to establish a law against praying openly to Daniel’s God. And here we live in a world today where there are those in influence and political power who have already attempted to strip prayer by legal means from the public arena. And, many of these power mongers would like to wipe the Name of “God” from all public interactions. Take note now, as I write this, our “king’s court” are doing all they can to keep military chaplains from invoking the Name of “Christ” from any public prayer in the military; and hate crime legislation is being formulated in Congress which, as it is in Canada and Sweden, would make it a “hate crime” to preach homosexuality as a sin from a Christian pulpit. So, even today the integrity of believers in God is being tested much the same as was Daniel in the times of today’s text.

As MacArthur above states, we see that Daniel’s public display of disciplined prayer signaled his spiritual integrity, as prayer does, especially public prayer, in our lives as Christians. It is God’s will that we pray to Him (see Col. 4: 2 and 1st Thess. 5: 17 below). And it was so for Daniel as well; and his willingness to pray openly to His Lord was his public witness to his faith in the one, true God.

SCRIPTURE: Col. 4: 2 … Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
SCRIPTURE: 1st Thess. 5: 16 – 18 … 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Are we committed to God and His will, as was Daniel, … so committed that we’d be willing to risk our very life, or at least be imprisoned for our commitment to prayer, by standing for our God by kneeling in prayer … just as He demands of His believers? Seeing military Chaplains being told they cannot pray “in the Name of Christ” and the political trends of the day, it is not difficult to imagine a time, not too soon in the future, when Christians may face a ban on public references to God, which will be most evident in limitations on our prayer to our Lord in public. Where will we stand – or kneel – for our God? Will we be believers with the integrity of a Daniel?

My Prayer Today: Lord, I pray that I will always declare Your Name to honor You, especially in prayer. Amen

2010 – September 21 – The Frustrating Matter of Prayer

Study from God’s Word… Daniel, Chapters 7 – 9 … Passage for Reflection: Daniel 9: 23 … NIV As soon as you began to pray an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.

My Journal for Today: Nailed to the wall of conviction!! That is me today.

When I read Daniel’s contrite and moving prayer in Daniel 9, it is no wonder God sent the Angel Gabriel to respond to old Dan. What a beautiful, specific, and honest prayer it was which must’ve moved God because of Daniel’s humility, honesty, and openness.

And now my conviction is deepened from F. LaGard Smith’s self examination question at the end of his devotional for today, which reads, ”When was the last time any prayer of mine might possibly have moved God to tears (or I might add, ‘to joy’)?” Maybe, if the Angel Gabriel showed up now and then, as he apparently did for Daniel, I might be more motivated to prayer more diligently or with more passion.

But then again, didn’t God show up … Himself … in human form … to all mankind; and didn’t He humble Himself, even unto a cross … just for me (well, and you too!). And didn’t He, through His Spirit, give me, not only eternal life from my faith in Him, but also He gave me (and all believers) His word so that I would know that He hears me and that He answers my prayers. And I have promises from the OT, as in Psalm 116: 1-2 [linked], which, sitting right here today, He brings into my consciousness – from my memory – which promises that my God stoops down to hear what I have to say in prayer. And then from the NT, He promises that if I bring my cares to Him, caring for me, that He’ll give me His peace (read 1st Peter 5: 7 and Phil. 4: 6-7). These are thoughts, from God Himself, for any believer who desires to let God hear someone like me (or you); and for us to share with God as did Daniel in his day.

So, I’m riddled with conviction as I read what Dr. Smith also writes today. He writes, “Think back on your prayers. Were any worthy of a divine conversation? Were they serious prayers? Specific prayers? Passionate prayers? Humble prayers? … In particular, how many of your prayers have been deeply confessional, like Daniel’s?” And with that scrutiny, I must say that my prayer life comes up sorely wanting. And so, … now, … knowing this, … what am I going to do about it? More same-ole, same ole? Or am I going to get to my knees and let God know where I stand - … but even more importantly, where He stands in my life.

My Prayer for Today: Oh, this prayer hurts, Lord! Help me pray today. Amen