Study 8
by Charles Tan
Text: Daniel 2
Dear Young People,
HOW IS YOUR PRAYER LIFE?
Sometimes, we do not know the importance or the value of prayer until we find ourselves in a tight spot! Daniel, his three friends, and all the other wise men in the employ of King Nebuchadnezzar were in serious trouble. The king had warned that he would destroy all the “wise men” in the country, if they could not reveal to him his dream and then to interpret it!
The protest of the wise men fell on deaf ears. Their plea that the king was very unreasonable, in asking them to reveal the dream he had, was rejected. Their lives now hung in the balance.
Daniel and his friends, though they were found to be “ten times better than all the magicians ands astrologers” (Daniel 1:20) also could not solve this dilemma of a problem. There was only one recourse! They had to PRAY as never before!
“THAT THEY MIGHT SEEK MERCIES FROM GOD CONCERNING THIS SECRET…” Daniel 2:18
Daniel did the only thing left to do. He called his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to pray with him. They must pray with all their hearts. They must do the following:-
1. They must believe that their God was MERCIFUL. They were going to call on His mercies to be poured out to them. (Daniel 2:18)
2. They must pray specifically that the Lord would reveal the secret dream of King Nebuchadnezzar to them. (Daniel 2:18)
3. They must pray with a great sense of urgency and faith that God would hear them. Their very lives depended on their prayer being answered (Daniel 2:18). And if their lives were lost, so would the lives of other wise men be forfeited!
4. They must persevere in prayer until God grants them their request! This matter was of utmost importance. It would take more than five minutes of effort! What if it took days of prayer? Would they be prepared to persevere in prayer?
“THEN THE SECRET WAS REVEALED TO DANIEL IN A NIGHT VISION” Daniel 2:19
Graciously, and mercifully, God heard their petitions! God revealed Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel. This revelation took place in the night. The revelation was like a vision. What an encouragement to us to pray to God faithfully!
“SO DANIEL BLESSED THE GOD OF HEAVEN…” Daniel 2:19
What do you do when God hears and answers prayer? What do you do when your life has been saved from certain destruction? Daniel shows us a great example. We read, “So Daniel blessed the God of Heaven.” This is another way of offering up a special prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Do you truly thank God for answering your prayers?