Practice of Prayer = Power of God

“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” [Daniel 6.26-27]

King Darius made a proclamation - a decree - that all the people of his kingdom should fear Daniel's God.

We should look closely at the description Darius provided in his decree about the nature and character of God.

First, Darius declared that God is the living God, and will endure forever. This timelessness is essential for anyone declaring supremacy over everything. It goes hand-in-hand with His kingdom never being destroyed and His rule never ending.

Next, Darius points out that God rescues and saves His people. This is done through miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. This is the "normal" mode for God. This is characteristic of God. It is what He does. God's demonstration of power on behalf of His people is the rule, not the exception.

Finally, Darius declares that what he has said is validated in the life and rescue of Daniel from the lions.

My challenge today is that my life would be seen as Daniel's was - that my life would be proof of God's true "normal" character (of rescuing and saving His people).

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. [Daniel 6.10]

Interestingly enough, Daniel was a man who had three dedicated times of prayer each day. I am guessing there's a correlation between this practice of prayer and the power of God demonstrated on his behalf. It seems the practice of prayer yields the power of God.

Father, I am challenged today to pray more. Let my life, as Daniel's, reflect Your true character.