Daniel and his companions (known best as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) probably were
taken to Babylon in their early teens. (They are called "children" but they were old enough to
know God’s law and to decide to obey it. See Daniel 1.) Daniel lived many years in Babylon-years
full of service to God and man. The most famous incident in Daniel’s life, his sojourn in the lions’
den because of his determination to continue praying only to God, occurred when he was an old
man. I would like to point out in this article that Daniel and his companions were men of prayer
while still young.
In Daniel 2 we read that the king had a dream which he not only could not understand, but neither
could he recall it. None of his wise men could tell Nebuchadnezzar the content of his dream, so
he ordered them all to be killed. This edict evidently included Daniel and his companions, even
though the king had not asked them to help him (Daniel 2:13-16). What was Daniel’s first step in
finding the answer to the problem? He and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego prayed. They were
not only praying for the knowledge of the king’s dream; they were praying for their lives. What
was Daniel’s first step after receiving the interpretation of the dream? He prayed again! Only then
did he go to tell the king what he had learned. Daniel was a man of prayer all through his Me.
God rewarded him:"As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning
and wisdom:and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams" (Daniel 1:17).
Would you like to have knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom? Do you have any
problems with school or college studies or with your job? Daniel’s secret of success can be
yours_he prayed and so should you. The author knows from personal experience that God
understands not only dreams and visions and the arts and sciences of ancient Egypt and Babylon,
but also physics, organic chemistry, calculus, and economics. Prayer can provide very practical
help in our work and our studies. Ask God to show you just what to study and what parts of the
material to spend the most time on. If you get bogged down in the middle of an exam, take a
moment out for prayer; ask God to clear your mind and help you recall the material relevant to
the problem. (It is not recommended that one substitute prayer for study. The Book of Proverbs
definitely states that God does not reward laziness in any form. Prayer and study must be used
together.)
After one has finished school and is established in a job, prayer is a great aid in one’s work. God
can not only help us get along with our fellow workers, but can also provide help with very
technical problems. God is the Creator of the material universe and will help us deal with this
creation if we act in subjection to and dependence on Him.
FRAGMENT. Oh, to be men of earnest prayer and simple faith! If there be earnestness with God
in the closet, depend upon it, there will be no lack of fervor in preaching. If our Father sees us
dealing with Him in secret, be certain that He will reward us openly.