Craig T. Owens

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You probably know the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, but I want to highlight a couple of really important things, so let me share this story with you from the Amplified Bible.

First of, remember how Daniel distinguished himself above all of the other governmental leaders: “Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6:3). 

Daniel’s rivals knew that they could never discredit him because of a lack of integrity or his shoddy work ethic. So they concocted a plan that played on King Darius’ pride. They got Darius to sign a law into effect that said no one could pray to anyone except Darius for the next month. Daniel, however, continued to pray to Jehovah three times a day, every single day. 

   Then they said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, does not regard or pay any attention to you, O king, or to the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed over what he had done and set his mind on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the sun went down to rescue him. (Daniel 6:13-14) 

Unable to find any loopholes in the law he had signed, Darius had to subject Daniel to the punishment for breaking this law—

   Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, Whom you are serving continually, deliver you!” Then the king went to his palace and passed the night fasting, neither were instruments of music or dancing girls brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den and to Daniel, he cried out in a voice of anguish. 

   The king said to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, Whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?” 

   Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God has sent His angel and has shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent and blameless before Him; and also before you, O king, as you very well know I have done no harm or wrong.”  (Daniel 6:16, 18-22) 

Daniel’s lifestyle—not his religion—first got the attention of King Darius, which led to Daniel’s promotion in the kingdom. But over time, Darius began to realize that Daniel’s faith in God is what fashioned Daniel’s lifestyle. 

Notice that the Bible doesn’t say Daniel was praying in the lion’s den, but it does say that Darius was fasting while Daniel was in the lion’s den. 

Daniel’s lifestyle of prayer prompted Darius to pray! 

It is quite likely that Daniel was regularly praying for all the kings of Babylon and Persia because of what God had said through Jeremiah: And seek (inquire for, require, and request) the peace and welfare of the city to which I have caused you to be carried away captive; and pray to the Lord for it, for in the welfare of the city in which you live you will have welfare (Jeremiah 29:7 AMPC). 

Darius’ response upon seeing Daniel’s deliverance shows a complete transformation in his attitude: He is now fully persuaded that the God who Daniel serves is the one true God. 

   Then King Darius wrote to all peoples, nations, and languages in his realm that dwelt in all the earth: “May peace be multiplied to you! I make a decree that in all my royal dominion men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God, enduring and steadfast forever, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed and His dominion shall be even to the end of the world. He is a Savior and Deliverer, and He works signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth—He Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:25-27) 

So Daniel didn’t need prayer, but Darius did. Daniel already knew that God would take him through, but Darius had to be convinced. It was the all-night prayer that saved the king. 

Today we are still directed to pray for our governmental leaders and to live as good citizens. 

Perhaps our God-centered, Christ-exalting, prayer-saturated lives may be just the catalyst that leads to the salvation of one of the most unlikely world leaders. So worship God, live with integrity, keep praying for those leaders, and wait in expectation for what God is going to do. Even if God takes you into a dark lion’s den, trust His plan that He is working out to glorify His name “to the end of the world”! 

Just remember: Your prayer life may cause an unlikely leader to begin to pray too. 

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