Gather Your Friends and Pray

Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Daniel 2:17-18

Daniel had just received the news. "At the royal order of King Nebechadnezzer, all the wise men and royal advisors of the king will be put to death!" David was included in the list of those facing death.

Why such a severe command? We have to back up in the story just a bit. King 'Neb' had had a dream that bothered him, and hew wasn't about to rest until he knew its meaning.  However, he wouldn't tell the advisors the details of his dream, lest they would make up a false meaning and trick. Thus he ordered their deaths because it was humanly impossible for them to tell him his dream and interpret its meaning.

Daniel heard the news and rather than panic, he gathered his friends, and they prayed. Daniel trusted God to give him what was needed! And in his faithfulness, God revealed the dream and the meaning to David. (Applause! Go God!!) Advisors and wise men rescued!

There's much more to the story, but today's verse leads me to ask, "How do you respond to bad news?" Do you have a melt down, instantly go into panic mode, cry, or simply deny the reality of the news? Or, like Daniel, do you gather together your GFF's (God First Friends) and pray fervently with expectancy?

Daniel knew his God could do the impossible, so on their knees, he and his friends poured out their hearts to God and sought His wisdom. Oh, how I long to have the faith and confidence of Daniel. Don't you?

So on our knees, as friends, let's pray for faith that boldly and courageously heads into uncertain circumstances trusting our God to do the impossible! Amen!