Praying Friends

“Prayer – secret, fervent, believing prayer – lies at the root of all personal godliness.”  William Carey 

Are you blessed with praying friends?  Praying friends are such a precious blessing.  It is very comforting to know that when you contact your prayer warrior friend, that they will approach God’s throne of grace on your behalf.  As we journey towards our Heavenly home, we will encounter many needs and we will have many concerns.  It is a privilege to have a friend who is truly a prayer warrior and it is also a privilege to take your friend’s needs to Almighty God’s throne of grace.  Almighty God answers prayers. 

You and I have a powerful resource – prayer – communion with our Savior and LORD.  Let us never look at prayer as a last resort.  When a need or a concern arises, the first thing we must do is approach the throne of God.  We often see prayer as the last resort.  This approach is backwards.  God’s power is infinitely greater than ours; therefore let us rely on the power of God.  James 5:16 – The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

In Daniel 2, we see Daniel at a crisis point.  King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that greatly troubled him.  He had called the wise men of the land and instructed them to tell him what the dream was and also to interpret the dream.  Because the men were unable to do so, he ordered all the wise men to be put to death.  When Daniel heard the verdict that the wise men would be put to death, he asked to see the king.  Daniel approaches King Nebuchadnezzar and asked for time so that he might be the one to interpret the dream.  The king agreed and then the praying began.  Daniel’s prayer warrior friends were needed.  Daniel 2:18 - He (Daniel) urged them (his friends) to plead for mercy from God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.  We might not be facing an execution but our need can be great when we ask our prayer warriors friends to plead for mercy on our behalf.  Do you have these prayer warrior friends as Daniel did?  Prayerfully ask God to rise up around you a small group of prayer warrior friends. 

We notice in Daniel 2 that Daniel did not panic.  He trusted God and believed in Almighty God’s power.  He chose not to panic because he understood that prayer was effective.  When we choose to panic instead of approaching the throne of God, it confirms that we consider our need as hopeless and that we do not believe in the power of God.  Do you believe in the power of God?  Do you panic or pray when you have a need or a concern?  Choose to obliterate your panic by praying to God.  Daniel 2:19 – During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.  Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.  Daniels trust in Almighty God saved not only himself, but also his three friends, and the wise men of Babylon.  Where have you placed you trust?

Do your prayers include praise?  Daniel knew where to place his trust and hope.  We read Daniel’s prayer of praise in Daniel 2:20-23 – “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.  He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.  I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:  You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”  Daniels prayer was answered and before he went back to reveal the dream and interpretation of the dream to King Nebuchadnezzar, he offered a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God.  He took time to give Almighty God credit for all wisdom and power and for answering his request.  We must never forget to offer our praise and gratitude to our Sovereign God. 

You can place your hope and trust in God just as Daniel and his friends did.  Present your request to the King of Kings.  Wait and watch with anxious expectation as God answers your prayers and never forget to offer Him a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. 

Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge You are sovereign.  We praise You and thank You for what You have done and what You will do.  Thank You for my prayer warrior friends.  Bless them LORD.  In Jesus Name I Pray…..Amen.