“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:10
You can rest assured that the men who wish to destroy Daniel make it a priority that he knows the law. They do not want him claiming ignorance.
Now when Daniel learned The word learned means to know or to become informed. Daniel is placed on notice.
That the decree had been published The king’s legislation is put into affect. It is “written in the book”. It is unalterable. There is no way out.
He went home Note Daniel’s action carefully. He went to his home. This tells us where he did not go. He did not go to Darius and throw a and demand the law be rescinded or that his attackers be thrown into prison. He heads to his home to do the only thing that can help him.
To his upstairs room where the windows opened He goes to the highest point in his house, the place that is closest to God and where he can be alone with God. We are told his windows are open. This is no secret act of prayer. Daniel does not go to the public market place to be seen – he goes to his private place but a place where his detractors know he is in the habit of praying to his God. (The word opened is the same word used “for the books were opened”.) It is a place where Daniel opens his heart to God. He does not flaunt his prayer but he does not hide it or stop it either.
Toward Jerusalem Why would Daniel open his windows toward Jerusalem? Obviously it is God’s city but is there another reason? Perhaps Daniel remembered the prayer of Solomon when he
dedicated the temple. “Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Jehovah my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today: that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel. When they pray toward this place, then hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.” Daniel’s position demonstrated his desire for God to hear his prayer.
Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed Here we read of Daniel’s habit. Three times a day, every day, he met God in formal prayer. Note his position – on his knees. Many Jews prayed standing up. Daniel prayed on his knees showing his humility to God. Daniel did not defy the king’s decree one time then quit – he humbly continued to pray.
Giving thanks to his God What was the nature of Daniel prayer while being persecuted – thanksgiving! This boy who had been ripped away
from his family and home, had become a slave, made a eunuch and faced persecution knelt three times a day to thank God for the privilege of knowing and serving the one true God. He “entered the Lord’s presence with thanksgiving”.
Just as he had done before Here is the key. His enemies knew he would pray. It was his custom for decades. He did not just pray when he happened to think about it, he had three meetings scheduled with God daily.
What can we learn? What did Daniel do when he learned of the trap that had been set for him? He prayed. He did the thing that he did with everything else that came into his life – he took it to God in prayer. He did not worry, he prayed. He knew God was in control.