TEXT:  Daniel 6:10

INTRODUCTION:

A.      DANIEL WAS A FAITHFUL JEW IN HORRIBLE TIMES.

B.      PRAYER WAS A MAJOR PART OF HIS LIFE.

          1.       Helped through tough times.

          2.       Was known by all around him for prayer.

C.      OUR TEXT TELLS MUCH ABOUT DANIEL AND HIS HABIT.

I.      HE KNELT IN PRAYER - HUMILITY.

A.      LOWLINESS IS EXPECTED OF US( Matt. 18:1-4 ).

B.      COMES FROM SEEING OURSELVES AS WE REALLY ARE:

          1.       In relation to God( Psa. 144:3-4 ).

          2.       In relation to one another( Phil. 2:1-5 ).

          3.       In relation to sin( Luke 18:13 ).

C.      REVERENCE TO GOD IS IMPORTANT( Heb. 12:28-29 ).

          1.       Reflected in the 10 commandments( Exodus 20:7 ).

          2.       Awe of Abraham( Gen. 18:27 ).  and Isaiah( Isa. 6:1-5 ).

          3.       The Masoretes would not even say the name of God for fear of blasphemy.

II.     THREE TIMES A DAY - DEPENDENCE ON GOD.

A.      GOD IS THE GIVER OF ALL GOOD( James 1:17; Eph. 1:3).

B.      OUR VERY EXISTENCE DEPENDS ON HIS BLESSING( Acts 17:24-27 ).

C.      PRAYER DEMONSTRATES DEPENDENCE( Matt. 7:7-11 ).

D.      PRAYER INFLUENCES GOD( James 5:16 ).

III.    HE GAVE THANKS - APPRECIATION.

A.      THE LEPERS( Luke 17:11-19 ).

B.      THINK ABOUT WHAT GOD AND JESUS HAVE DONE.

          1.       God's love a matter of grace( 1 John 4:9-10 ).

          2.       Paul always mentions thankfulness( Col. 4:2;  Phil. 4:6-7;  Eph. 5:20 ).

C.      THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE( Rom. 2:4 ).

IV.   "AS HE DID AFORETIME" - STEDFAST AND FAITHFUL.

A.      JESUS LESSON ON PERSISTENCE( Luke 18:1-8 ).

B.      CONSISTENCY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN.

          1.       Jesus as our example( Heb. 12:1-2 ).

          2.       Paul encourages us( 1 Cor. 15:58 ).

C.      THE RESULT OF BEING GIVEN TO PRAYER( Phil. 4:6-7 ).

CONCLUSION:  THE EXAMPLE OF DANIEL IN PRAYER IS

        WORTHY TO FOLLOW.