“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,” Ephesians 6:18,19
The next aspect of the Hupomone man that we see in Daniel’s story is prayer. I really believe that Daniel and Paul are just chillin’ together up in heaven. Their lives mirror so many of the same qualities. Prayer is just one more of those qualities that we see emphasized both in the epistles of Paul and the book of Daniel.
“Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.” Daniel 6:10
Prayer was important to Daniel. In fact it was so important that 1. The value that he placed on it was clearly visible to all, even his enemies. 2. When his enemies laid a trap by effectively outlawing prayer Daniel risked everything to continue this vital communication with God. Daniel had learned through his life that connecting with God on a regular basis was key to his relationship with him. Daniel was probably in his mid-sixties by this time. I can only imagine that he had learned the importance of prayer through his many years of experience. Perhaps there had been times when the duties of his high administrative/political office had impacted his prayer life and he had felt the Spiritual staleness that comes when we let circumstances push God to the edges of our lives. He knew that no matter what, he had to spend his time with God each day, every day regardless of the consequences.
Daniel not only valued prayer as an daily part of his life but also as a path to resolution for the concerns/problems that arise. He also valued the power of corporate prayer. He called on his godly companions to stand with him before the throne of God.
“Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, in order that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery…” Daniel 2:17-18
Daniel is joined by our great example of the Hupomone man in his dedication to prayer. Prayer was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry. We are given two wonderful complete examples/models for prayer by our Lord and Savior in the Gospels. The first is of course The Lord’s Prayer,
Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.] Matthew 6:9-13
The Gospel of John gives us a more comprehensive example of Jesus praying, not as a lesson, but interceding before God for His children in chapter 17. Throughout the Gospels Jesus makes prayer a salient aspect of His ministry. He spends extended times in prayer before important decisions or events. He withdraws from his active ministry repeatedly, just to spend time with His Father. Paul understood the importance of prayer in securing rest, peace and joy,
Rejoice in the Lord always ; again I will say, rejoice ! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6
Prayer is not a requirement or a chore that must be accomplished daily to keep us in God’s good graces. Paul certainly did not see it that way and I don’t believe that Daniel did either. Prayer is a great privilege. Prayer for the Hupomone man or woman (who is in it with God for The Long Haul) is a way of life.
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