Daniel 6:10, commentary and pictures

When the writing was signed forbidding petition to any God or man but the king for thirty days on pain of the lions' den, Daniel knowingly went to his chamber with windows open toward Jerusalem and continued as aforetime to kneel three times a day, morning noon and night, and pray aloud and give thanks before his God. He would not let earthly authority come between him and God or dictate whom he might worship, but obeyed God above man even with death before him, counting it better to lose this present life than eternal life. His open course was not excess but steadfast allegiance to principle, refusing to conceal worship, accommodate the decree, or pray in secret to save his life, with courage resting wholly on dependence upon God. He sought God thus three times a day for wisdom, strength, and courage to represent the true God in wicked Babylon, and prayer refreshed his soul, gave clearness of mind and firmness of purpose, and kept him in living connection with heaven amid corruption and heavy cares of state. God did not forsake him but sent His angel to shut the lions' mouths so they did him no harm, brought him out with honor, and made his fidelity a witness to idolatrous rulers that the God of heaven alone is the living God worthy of worship.

Historical Setting and Decree

Daniel 6:10 takes place after Darius the Median had taken the throne formerly occupied by the Babylonian rulers and had reorganized the government, setting 120 princes over the kingdom and three presidents over them, with Daniel first because an excellent spirit was in him and the king intending to set him over the whole realm.
Daniel's conduct was blameless and faithful, with neither error nor fault found in him, so his enemies could find no ground of complaint against him except his faithfulness to God's law.
The honors bestowed upon him excited the jealousy of the leading men of the kingdom, and because they sought occasion against him but could find none they devised the decree to trap him.
His regular prayer three times a day to the God of heaven was the only charge they could bring against him.

The decree forbade asking a petition of any God or man except the king for thirty days, on pain of being cast into the den of lions.
The envious presidents and princes who made his faithfulness the cause of his destruction were stirred up by fallen angels, who feared his influence over the rulers of the kingdom because an excellent spirit was in him and he was high in command.

Daniel's place called him to withstand the temptations and dangers of worldly honor and high station, yet seeking such positions is not a model for those whose duty lies elsewhere.
He was brought into trial in the king's court while in the way of duty, where God's protection is sure, unlike placing oneself under temptation, which leads to falling sooner or later.

Words and Practices Described

Daniel kneeled upon his knees to pray, and bowing on the knees is the privileged, humble and reverent attitude for offering petitions to God in both public and private worship. His kneeling was for prayer and thanksgiving to God, approaching God with humility, reverence and awe.

He prayed three times a day as his regular, established custom as he did aforetime, continuing steadfastly despite the king's decree and the threat of death. That custom was prayer in the morning, at noon, and at night, maintained as a constant priority and an established part of his life. It was prayer and thanksgiving to God, held up as the regular prayer expected of believers and as an example for families to follow in preparing their hearts.

He went into his house to his chamber and prayed there with the window facing Jerusalem and the windows open toward Jerusalem. He continued that established open practice at its appointed hour even after knowing the decree made prayer to anyone but the king a threat to his life. He prayed and gave thanks before his God, keeping his regular practice of prayer three times a day with gratitude even while facing hardship. Prayer refreshed his soul, and he would not surrender this privilege despite the threat of the lions' den.

He continued his established practice of praying aloud and vocally three times a day in his chamber with his windows open, so his words could be heard. His enemies could bring no evidence that his prayer was offered to the God of heaven alone except as they heard the words he used. He prayed aloud most earnestly as he did aforetime, and that unbroken prayer life was kept in the Lord's keeping and was the source of his wisdom. He also prayed alone regularly, showing love for private prayer, and public prayer need not be offered to attract attention or be praised by people. His prayer was open and earnest intercession, unchanged in fidelity under threat.

Turning toward Jerusalem at the appointed hour while captive in a distant land continued the sacred hours of the morning and evening sacrifice and incense. At those hours worshipers faced the holy place with earnest searching of heart and confession of sin and united in silent prayer ascending with the incense while faith laid hold on the merits of the promised Saviour. Those hours became the set time for worship throughout the nation, and the captive custom gives Christians an example for morning and evening prayer. God condemns a mere round of ceremonies without the spirit of worship but looks with pleasure on such bowing morning and evening to seek pardon for sins committed and to present requests for needed blessings.

Uncompromising Faithfulness Under Threat

When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he knowingly continued his established practice openly at its appointed hour, praying three times a day in his chamber with windows open toward Jerusalem and giving thanks as he did aforetime, refusing to conceal his worship or let the decree sever his connection with God. He prayed aloud and vocally so his words could be heard, and he did not waver in faithfulness to God and duty in the face of death. He would not let earthly authority come between him and God or dictate whom he may worship or pray to. Earthly authority must be obeyed where it has a right to command but cannot rightly override allegiance to God, and steadfast allegiance and commitment to duty can hold firm against human rulers and decrees.

He was placed under a choice between his life and his worship, with death in the lions' den before him. He counted it better to lose this present life than to lose eternal life, refusing to barter heaven for the things of this world. He refused to pray in secret or to accommodate the king's decree for convenience or to save his life, standing firm to principle whatever the result and choosing to lose his life rather than dishonor God. He refused to hide his purpose, weaken loyalty to duty, accommodate himself to circumstances, or make effort to save his own life. He openly let his enemies see he was no coward, praying just as firmly as before with windows open toward Jerusalem, standing alone without yielding to the influence around him. His courage rested on dependence upon God, his strength came from God, and his refusal to be turned away upheld God's honor and showed the strict integrity required of those who would rather face death than dishonor God, becoming an example for later generations.

His faithfulness under earlier, lesser trials had strengthened his courage and firmness for the greater trial. Because he had not yielded in the first test over the king's table he did not yield in this second test over worship, so God could let blessing rest on him in remarkable degree, honor him with wisdom and understanding above all the astrologers and magicians, and work for his deliverance. His public prayer was not excessive righteousness but steadfast allegiance to God. He was as true as steel to principle, full of reverence and zeal for God and full of noble purposes and aspirations, valuing God's favor above the praise of princes and refusing to let an earthly command turn him from honoring God. Though as weak and helpless in himself as any worker now, he put his whole trust in God and put on the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of Satan in conflict and trial, openly confessing faith even in the king's court, and God honored and protected him before people.

Firm religious principle kept him faithful to daily prayer even when the lions' den threatened him. He remained true to his purpose of praying to God as was his custom, three times a day in his chamber with the window open toward Jerusalem, and did not let the threat turn him from God. His example shows loyalty to God that withstands fear of death and remains steadfast under pressure and danger.

Power and Blessings of Prayer

Those who labor together with God are to seek the Lord for guidance when in perplexity, following the pattern of praying daily three times with thanksgiving before God and seeking unerring counsel from the words of inspiration, bringing needs and perplexities directly to God rather than depending on distant human advisers. Daniel sought God three times a day in earnest prayer for wisdom, strength, and courage to represent the only true God in wicked Babylon, for God is the source of wisdom and power and those facing uncertainty should seek help directly from Him who is near to give grace to go forward. God hears prayer offered in faith as He heard Daniel, giving help in prayer with clear understanding, softened heart, discernment, steadfast mind, knowledge, and faith that God alone can give. Those surrounded by unbelief are to pray often as Daniel did even when forbidden, trusting the Lord surely hears and answers all who call upon Him in sincerity, preserving living connection with God and giving wisdom, understanding, knowledge, humility, truth to principle, and a life hid with Christ in God that draws others to Christ and to truth.

Prayer three times a day, alone with God and constant, means confessing every sin committed and every mistake made, and if fellow students have been injured in any way confessing also to them and praying for one another for healing. This daily praying builds barriers between the soul and sin and keeps life walking in harmony with God. God has avouched Himself as One who hears and answers sincere, fervent prayer, pardons and accepts, is near to all who call upon Him to answer and bless, and gives power in that assurance to those preparing to enter the ministry and for school work in cherishing the highest, holiest, purest principles as practical work in overcoming all in the life offensive to God, so that a life so lived walls instructors in by the prayers of faithful, loving disciples. A living connection with heaven must be maintained by seeking God three times a day for divine grace to resist appetite and passion, because wrestling with appetite and passion unaided by divine power will fail, but with Christ as the stronghold there is conquering power.

Daniel's life of prayer, in connection with plainness of diet, gave him clearness of mind, firmness of purpose, strength of intellect, and power in acquiring knowledge and in resisting temptation. Though carrying heavy cares of state that taxed him to the utmost and standing next to the king in the highest position in the court with manifold daily responsibilities in positions of trust, he knew he must have help from God to do his work well and could not walk apart from God one hour amid trials and persecutions. He sought constantly and earnestly, held fast by the hand of Infinite Strength, grew strong in conflict with difficulties and would not be overcome, clung to Jesus in self-control and strict temperance in all things enjoying His perpetual presence, and God answered his prayers, gave the Holy Spirit, placed Himself on Daniel's side because Daniel placed himself on God's side to keep His ways, gave wisdom to do work acceptably to those who ask in faith, kept joy full, gathered holy angels around the workers, and made men missionaries in the highest sense who train for the society of pure and holy intelligences. Even a busy statesman can and will find time to pray three times a day, for the way to God's throne stays always open so Christians are not limited to kneeling but may ask while engaged in active labor with promise they shall receive, finding a private place for communion where no ear hears but God who hears the helpless, distressed, and needy. Allowing the rush of work to drive away daily seeking shuts the door to God and brings mistakes and losses, while praying even when hands are employed keeps the Saviour's ear open, and staying determined not to be separated from the Source of strength brings Jesus to the right hand to help, prevents shame before enemies, supplies grace to accomplish what human effort cannot, and keeps those who love and fear God from faltering or making crooked paths even when surrounded by many cares, for God cares for people where duty places them yet they should go as often as possible where prayer is customarily made.

Knees were given to bow three times a day in heartfelt prayer as part of faithful stewardship of body and talents and cooperating with God, using mind to understand how to work, eyes to discern God-given opportunities, ears to listen for commands, and feet to run in the way of commandments, receiving from God and rendering back for His glory to be prepared for the heavenly kingdom and not be judged unfit, with His blessing resting on those who make the most for the Master. Believers now are to watch and pray three times a day as Daniel did because the enemy watches constantly to find them off guard, and this vigilant prayer belongs to returning to first love, surrendering will and way to God as the first work of each day, and watching and waiting and praying to endure unto the end and be saved. Praying three times a day is just as convenient and essential now as for Daniel, honoring God and opening the way for protecting care, aid, mercy, blessing, comfort, peace, joy, outpouring of the Spirit, and preservation in daily labor, for prayer is the life of the soul and foundation of spiritual growth to be exemplified at home before family and workmen with open communication between God and the soul and heart and voice to pray knowing God will find answers.

Prayer must remain first and not become secondary to study, for when children leave a God-fearing home for school they face ten temptations to one at home with many temptations and contaminating influence among youth, and they need to pray in faith to the heavenly Father for grace to be kept, praying much more earnestly and constantly as Daniel did three times a day with kneeling prayer and thanksgiving continued as before even when surroundings become unfavorable, to form Christian character, gain strength to resist temptation, become settled, rooted and grounded in truth, keep interest in heavenly things, and meet the approval of God who weighs moral worth. Thrice-daily prayer gives power to stand against surrounding corruption as Daniel prayed for strength to resist the king's court, and fathers and mothers need to pray even more than Daniel to be preserved from this evil age, never neglecting to pray with and for children morning and night, bringing them to God in the morning to entreat mercy and care through the day and gathering them at night to make confession and plead forgiveness for sins and wrongs committed against Him through the day. Daniel's prayer is fervent, effectual prayer that is the great strength of the Christian and will assuredly prevail against Satan, enraging Satan because he knows he will suffer loss and alarming his host when help is earnestly sought in the name of Jesus the advocate, which is why he insinuates prayer is useless. He kept praying openly with windows open toward Jerusalem even with full knowledge of the decree, counted supplication important enough to sacrifice life rather than give it up, was cast into the lions' den on account of praying yet kept praying even there, and Jesus the mighty Commander sent His angel to close mouths of hungry lions so they did him no harm leaving peace in the den, while the king brought him out with honor and the plotters stirred by fallen angels who feared his excellent spirit and high command were doomed to perish in the same manner.

Firm adherence to principle cultivated from youth and continued under test shows steadfast integrity in perplexity, opposition, and even persecution brings a present helper and deliverer in God who still has angels to minister and close lions' mouths so they do no harm, and integrity of character must be cultivated now. Daniel and his companions consecrated themselves daily to God and sought Him in prayer three times a day in faith for the things they asked, and God heard them, placing them in right position under most trying temptations in wicked Babylon under heaven's supervision, keeping senses sharp to distinguish right from wrong amid idolatry and religious corruption, with God cooperating with them as they cooperated with God to give the purest and most complete education and qualify them to work for God, calling students and teachers to the same disciplined prayer. Daniel maintained silent communion with God which kept him by God's power amid corruptions and temptations of the court, showing believers can keep minds lifted to God and pray even when duties place them among revelry, intemperance, and idolatry, with earnest prayer linked to careful words and conduct, humility without self-exaltation, reverence for God, respect for others, and faithfulness free from selfishness. Making petitions to God daily with earnest seeking and no strange gods is the pattern for sacred work, bringing the same assurance and power given to Daniel with angels communicating strength and wisdom and restraining ferocious beasts even when faithfulness leads to the den. Prayer refreshed his soul as a privilege he would not surrender despite danger of death, and his unbroken prayer life kept in the Lord's keeping before the den, with communion with the King of kings maintained aloud most earnestly as aforetime and not confined to the king's business, was the source of his wisdom and steadfast allegiance against human decrees.

Divine Deliverance and Witness

Because he kept his custom, Daniel was cast into the den of lions, but God did not forsake him and sent holy angels to minister to him and shut the lions' mouths so that they did him no harm. The decree had forbidden asking any petition of any God or man except the king for thirty days on pain of the lions' den, yet with full knowledge of the signed writing he went to his chamber three times a day with windows open toward Jerusalem to pray and give thanks to the God of heaven as he had done aforetime. His faithfulness was made the occasion of his destruction by envious presidents and princes, stirred up by fallen angels who feared his influence over the rulers because an excellent spirit was in him and he stood high in command. He counted supplication to God important enough to sacrifice his life rather than give it up, and he kept praying even in the den. Jesus, the mighty Commander of the heavenly host, sent His angel to close the mouths of the hungry lions so they did not hurt him, leaving peace in the terrible den, and the king then brought him out with honor while the agents who had plotted his death were doomed to perish in the same terrible manner.

That steadfast integrity, cultivated from youth and continued under test in perplexity, opposition and even persecution, brings a present helper and deliverer in God, who still has angels, so integrity of character must be cultivated now. God gave Daniel wisdom and firmness to resist influences toward intemperance, and sent angels to guard him in the lions' den. His enemies could find no fault in his conduct except his faithfulness, so they devised the decree to trap him, and when he was thrown into the den for remaining faithful in prayer despite the decree against praying, God's angels were present with him there.

His faithfulness brought the rulers' attention to his case and gave him opportunity to testify that the God of heaven alone is the true God and worthy of worship, praise and homage. His deliverance from the den further showed that the God he worshiped was living and true. His refusal to obey the king rather than God carried the knowledge of the true God throughout Babylon, and God vindicated His steadfast servants. His loyalty under persecution for continuing his established practice of prayer and thanksgiving despite the royal decree that put his life in danger became part of the witness through which rulers proclaimed God's supremacy.

By continuing his regular practice of prayer openly toward Jerusalem after he knew prayer to anyone but the king was punishable, refusing to conceal his worship or let the decree sever his connection with God, his fidelity made him a witness among idolaters to the principle that earthly authority must be obeyed where it has a right to command but cannot rightly override allegiance to God. Such witnessing for God under pressure by continuing to pray and give thanks openly three times a day as aforetime after knowing the writing was signed pleases God. Yielding to pressure to receive and publish matter that unsettles faith in Christianity, sows doubt and unbelief and questioning of Scripture, gives a wrong tendency to youth, dishonors the Redeemer, and lets in Satan is work God condemns.

Pattern for Believers Today

Daniel's praying three times a day is the pattern families are to follow at home, praying there and giving their hearts to God before coming to a holy gathering. The home prayer is to be earnest and persistent, like Jacob's, with importunate heart-searching to find Jesus beforehand and take Him to the meeting, making its hours precious. Outward preparation for eating and dressing is secondary to this individual preparation, and without it God's presence and displayed power cannot be expected.

The three-times-daily earnest prayer that brought precious seasons of nearness and communion with God is the pattern for going alone before God to pray for recovery and for strength to do His will. That prayer was offered three times daily for many months, with sacred nearness to God and sweet communion with Him, and God graciously heard the earnest requests. God's people should covenant to pray three times a day with the restoration to health of an afflicted brother as a special subject of prayer, joining that regular prayer with cultivating deep piety in their own hearts so they grow strong in faith and are prepared for the time of trouble just before them. Ministers are to follow the example of devoted kneeling prayer three times a day, and men in responsible positions are to go to God as often as Daniel did for divine help in earnest supplication.

After the writing was signed he went to his house with windows open toward Jerusalem and kneeled in prayer three times a day, refusing to pray in secret or to accommodate the decree for convenience or to save his life. He stood firm to principle whatever the result, choosing to lose his life rather than dishonor God, letting no man come between him and God, and using the danger as an opportunity to exalt the living God as the source of his wisdom and strength. Because he had not yielded in the first test over the king's table, he did not yield in this second test over worship, so God let His blessing rest on him in remarkable degree, honored him with wisdom and understanding above all the astrologers and magicians, and worked for his deliverance from the lions' den. His course requires the same strict integrity in Sabbathkeeping now and foreshadows the test coming to all who would enter the city of God over whether they will keep God's commandments and His honor before them rather than serve the powers that be.

Daring to stand alone for God by continuing to pray openly after the writing was signed is open to all through standing alone in Jesus Christ. Those who so stand become channels through which God imparts His grace so the golden oil of His love is poured into the heart, ministering angels communicate heavenly treasures through them, and in enriching poverty-stricken souls they are themselves enriched to the highest mental and moral development. He continued in prayer three times a day with his windows open toward Jerusalem after the writing was signed because he was as true as steel to principle, full of reverence and zeal for God and full of noble purposes and aspirations, and would not fail nor be discouraged. Though as weak and helpless in himself as any worker now, he put his whole trust in God and put on the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of Satan in conflict and trial. His true wealth was mind and soul culture gained by making God first and last and best in everything, a lesson for workers now to learn from Christ.