What Would Daniel Do? #3

Lesson #3 from Daniel’s Prayer Book: Don’t vary from your prayer routine lightly. Why do you think that after the anti-prayer law was passed Daniel kept on praying in a way that his enemies could observe and report on? Wouldn’t he have been smarter to pray while taking a walk or at his desk pretending to read or something? Couldn’t he have found a hiding place? Why did he just go right back to his usual prayer spot and pray at his usual times?

Well, to be honest, there may be a number of reasons. He may have done it to set an example for the other Jews in Babylon who were wondering what to do about the law. He may have done it knowing his civil disobedience would bring the matter to a rapid resolution. But he also may have done it because he knew it is not all that easy for human beings to stay on course once they deviate from their habits.

It’s like my current distress over the broken elliptical machine. Sure there are a number of other ways to get some exercise. But if they involve varying where and when I exercise—and in turn forcing me to juggle other commitments, rearrange the kids’ schedules, spend extra money or drive extra distance—the chances that I can find the determination to overcome my natural lethargy and get some exercise become slim at best.

The point is that if the thing we are trying to accomplish is of any priority, it is better to stick as closely as possible to our routines no matter what else happens. It is one of the best ways to make sure that thing gets done even as everything else falls apart. Yes of course there will be crisis times—like when the government passes a law that threatens our lives—but even then our prayer routines should not go out the window. In fact, especially then they should not go out the window. They should become the thing we cling to keep us sane in a world gone crazy, the bare minimum of time we seek God’s guidance and comfort. If you and I vary our prayer habits for anything from a busy day at work to feeling a little overtired, we will be in sad shape when the real crisis comes.

How are you doing on our February habits? Don't forget to pray for a few minutes when you wake up, before you fall asleep and for 3 minutes one other time during the day. Read your New Testament for 7 minutes.