#1350. DANIEL’S GREAT EXAMPLE OF PERSONAL DEVOTION (17/9/25)
- Matt Beaney
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we begin our new vision series, Rivers.
Today, from the life of Daniel, we reflect on our call to costly, faithful personal prayer.
You can listen to this devotional below
‘On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.’ (John 7:37-39)
Our vision, based on this text, is:
Bringing people to Jesus: Myself, One Another, Our Community.
This week, we are focussing on the myself aspect — our need to personally come, and keep coming, to Jesus.
During my recent sabbatical, I heard a children’s talk about Daniel that struck me afresh with his faithful and costly devotion to prayer.
‘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. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”’ (Daniel 6:10-12)
1. Daniel was under pressure not to pray
Daniel knew his devotion could cost him everything. He faced the real threat of death in the lions’ den, yet he refused to give up His devotion to God in prayer. For him, fellowship with God mattered more than his safety, reputation, or position. Many of us struggle to pray with no such pressures — Daniel challenges us to consider what place prayer has in our lives.
2. Daniel’s manner of prayer
Daniel’s prayer life was intentional and disciplined: he prayed three times a day, on his knees, giving thanks, and asking God for help. These simple but powerful elements of devotion remind us that posture, consistency, gratitude, and dependence are all vital aspects of prayer
3. Sometimes the answer seems delayed
At first glance, it looked as if Daniel’s prayers went unanswered — he was thrown to the lions despite his faithfulness. In the same way, when we ask for “living water,” God may allow us to walk through darkness or trial. But the story of Daniel shows us that God always hears and always acts in His perfect timing.
Later Daniel is reassured by an angel:‘
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.”’ (Daniel 10:12)
When we pray in the name of Jesus, God hears us immediately. When we ask for living water, He delights to give it. Like Daniel, we must trust that even in trial, our devotion is seen and valued in heaven.
Response
Daniel’s devotion to prayer — consistent, thankful, humble, and persevering — is a model for us.
How might God be encouraging you to deepen your personal devotion?
What could regular times of prayer look like in your day?
Will you trust that God hears you from the first moment you pray, even if answers seem slow?
Community Group Notes
This week, we don't have our usual Community Groups. Instead, on the 17th (in the building, beginning at 7:00pm with a meal), we have the second of this year's Together evenings. Please make every effort to come along to worship, be inspired and fellowship together.
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