“Then said he unto me, ‘Fear not, Daniel—for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard and I am come for (because of) your words’.”
Daniel 10:12
If we know “how” to pray, we’ll know for “what” to pray and rest assured that God will hear and answer.
“You are a man greatly beloved by God.”
Such were the words the angelic visitor told Daniel that day when he appeared to him during King Cyrus’ third year of reign (Dan. 10:11). Born into a Jewish family and whisked away into Babylonian captivity as a teenager, Daniel—whose name means “God is my Judge”—was a beautiful example of faith and fidelity.
Even though exiled far from home, Daniel and his three friends refused to defile themselves by eating the king’s food (1:8). And, after 10 days “their countenances appeared fairer and better-looking than those who’d eaten the required menu” (v.15). Later on, God used Daniel to correctly interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and he was made “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon” (2:1-49).
Yet, later on he refused to heed King Darius’ decree to cease praying to anyone but him and was thrown into a lions’ den (6:1-15). But, God sent an angel to shut the man-eaters’ mouths, which gave Daniel the opportunity to glorify the God of Abraham (vv.16-23).
Thus, it’s clear Daniel knew how to touch God’s heart and ear.
How was that?
“By setting his heart to understand and by chastening himself before God.”
“Setting one’s heart” is an intentional, volitional act. It’s like setting the nose of a plane in a particular direction while flying and not deviating from those coordinates. Or, it’s like following a compass’ true-north heading while traveling through unfamiliar territory.
Simply put, it’s having a heart for God and His Word and not wavering from it. It’s “seeking Him first” in everything we say and do (Mt. 6:33). It’s staying “focused and faithful in our Race of Faith” (Heb. 12:1-2).
Likewise, effectual praying also includes “chastening ourselves before God.” The Hebrew word “anah” is used here for “chastening” and also means “to abase one’s self, afflict, humble one’s self, deprive, etc.” It’s the picture of self-discipline that stays-the-course and isn’t prone to chasing rabbits or following after the latest fads and philosophies.
Dear Pilgrim, “effectual praying” is “fervent praying” (James 5:16). It is “wrestling with God until He blesses” (Gen. 32:24-26). It is “paying the price” for receiving what God wants to give through “prayer and supplication, fasting, weeping, confessing, repentance, etc.” (Dan. 9:3-19; Neh. 1:1-11; Mt. 17:21). Only then will know what it means to “delight ourselves also in the Lord and receive the desires of our heart” (Ps. 37:4). Only then.
January 11, 2012
