When Praying became Illegal, Daniel Gave Thanks to God
God’s Command for Thankfulness
Psalm 136 repeatedly instructs us to give thanks to God “for His mercy endureth forever” (Psalm 136:1,2, 3, 26), and Daniel faithfully did so 3-times a day (Daniel 6:10).
Paul instructed the Thessalonians “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul also told them to “Rejoice evermore” and “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17).
Jesus taught His disciples a parable “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).
Daniel’s Example of Thankfulness
Daniel 6:1-13 tells of a time when wicked men, jealous of Daniel’s advancement, sought a false pretext against Daniel to discredit him so he would be removed from his position of power. They knew he was too diligent, honest, and faithful to find any real fault. So, they convinced the king to make it illegal to pray throughout his empire, except to the king himself.
This appealed to the king’s vanity, so he made the law without really thinking through the consequences. When Daniel learned that praying to God was now illegal and carried a death penalty, Daniel still continued to openly pray, giving thanks to God 3-times a day.
A Thanksgiving prayer based on Daniel’s faithfulness:
Imagine a world where it is illegal to pray,
And if you are caught, you will Die that day.
What would you do?
Would Man you obey?
Perhaps you would choose to run away.
Or would you stay, and hide to pray?
And if you did, what would God say?
Daniel thanked God in his usual way,
Kneeling before open windows 3-times a day.
Daniel continued to openly pray,
The penalty of death, he was willing to pay.
In America, it’s still safe to pray.
So, give thanks to God for freedom today!
It may not always be this way,
So, determine now, God’s Will to obey.
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