Text: Psalm 136: Daniel 2

This is probably Daniel’s fifth year under Babylon’s captivity. He had been trained in the way of the Chaldeans; yet, he had maintained his integrity to God’s commands and way of life. Such personal character had been rewarded with an unparalleled favor with the king: “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them [Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah], he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm” (Daniel 1:20 KJV). But now, through no act of his own, his life was at risk: “And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain” (2:13 KJV).

Daniel’s Chaldean education couldn’t save him; his past favor couldn’t stay his execution. There was only one thing that could stop the slaughter—a very immediate prayer with a very direct answer. “Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon” (vv. 17, 18). And the God of heaven answered.

A united prayer has an unique favor with God: “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:19 KJV). Today, meet with, or contact a few others to pray together for the mercies of God on all those facing major consequences through no fault of their own. Intercede for the persecuted church that is facing death for their testimony.