Window-Watcher.

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)

“He knew that people were out to get him.” (Pastor Shane)

Daniel was committed to the One true God, and his commitment to God was not shaken by the leaders who sought to remove him from his position.

What would you do if someone threatened to harm you if you were “caught” in the act of praying? Pastor Shane noted that, for some of us, our strategy would perhaps be to change our routine: pray in secret, pray silently, or pray somewhere else. But Daniel continued to live out the routine he had established.

• His prayer was public; the windows were open.
• His prayer had a specific posture; he got down on his knees.
• His prayer was positional; the windows opened toward Jerusalem, the beloved land from which he was exiled.
• His prayer was positive; he did not wail about having been exiled, but rather gave thanks to God.

In fact, it seems that Daniel did not concern himself at all with his detractors. He knew that petitioning God was the right thing to do.

After Pastor Shane's sermon, Pastor Andy took the podium and said, “We stand in the midst of Babylon, open our windows, and declare that we trust in our God.” I pray that is true for all of us.

Where do you stand today? Are you a person of prayer? Are you afraid to be “caught” praying? Do you have a place to pray? Is your prayer life consistent?