Bible Study Lessons

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson
Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Series: Watch and Prayer
Reference Scripture:  Daniel 6:10-13
Focus Verses: Daniel 6:10
 

Today’s Discussion:    “Working from a Clear Conscience”

 

The lesson aim is to encourage believers to stay focused on the mission.  More importantly, all believers must never allow the enemy to plant fear in our hearts to hinder the works of God. (Reference: II Timothy 1:7-10) 

 

As we review this situation we recognize that Daniel’s freedom to pray has been violated. Interestingly, there are some similarities we can see as we work to defend and protect the religious freedoms we enjoy today.  This desperate attempt to destroy Daniel resembles present day initiatives seeking legislative approval to dismantle the church.  Like Daniel the church is under attack.  Christ warned us that we would suffer persecution for “his name sake”. 

 

What was Daniel thinking?  (It appears that Daniel had received a copy of the decree.  That being said Daniel shows no sign of fear, frustration or being overly concerned about the content or consequences of the decree. Daniel could have made other arrangements to pray without violating the decree and save his job.  However, Daniel chose not to compromise his faith or abandon his beliefs to accommodate the king’s law. 

(Reference: Romans 12:2; I Corinthians 15:58; I Peter 5:8-9) Daniel’s enemies had gone beyond getting him fired from his job.  These men wanted Daniel dead.  These men and their evil works validate Peter’s warning to the church. Satan is always searching for a vessel to use against us.  And there’s always somebody out there willing to be used by Satan to destroy us and our work. (Reference: Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6)

How important is prayer in our lives? (The text does not reveal the words of Daniel’s prayer at this point or any time prior to this incident.  However, we can conclude that Daniel was trained to pray specifically and precisely about pressing matters. (Reference: I Kings 8:28-30,38-39,46-51) Daniel prayed continually which lines up with the instructions for the New Testament church. (Reference: Luke 18:1; I Thess. 4:17)

 

Dan 6:10 – “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

 

Verse 11 – “Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”

 

How do we deal with matters that challenge our faith or force us to compromise our spiritual beliefs? (Daniel’s encounter with the enemy from within has become the norm in the workplace, home, community and even the church.  Just as God delivered Joseph, David, Peter, Paul and many others “called according to his purpose”, God will rescue us from our enemies.)

 

In conclusion God will always reveal and expose the enemy’s plot against HIS people.  Prayer keeps the line of communication open to heaven.  Remember, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.