When Prayer is Your Fault

Source: Daniel 6; Philippians 1:6; 2:15

It’s been a real joy to study the book of Daniel again! It has so much for you and me to learn. From favorite Sunday School stories, to major teenage decisions and to the importance of consistent faith throughout life. Even as I read through Daniel and the Lion’s Den story, I am amazed at how much more there is for me to learn from such a familiar story.

Almost everyone is familiar with the Lion’s Den part of the story, so I may say little about that today. I want to look to Daniel to help us practically apply the nonconformist lifestyle. Read through chapter 6 and ask yourself what it tells you about Daniel’s character. Take a moment and list everything you find.

He Was Trustworthy

Let’s consider the fact that Daniel is now serving under the fourth ruler (Nebuchadnezzar, Nabunidas, Belshazzar and now Darius). Not only is Darius a new king, but he is from an new empire. Daniel was in a position of influence under all these kings. Now under the new regime, we find that he has already been elevated to one of the three highest positions and soon to be in the number one spot.

What does it say about a man’s character that the leaders of the land trust him, recognize his counsel and faithfulness and elevate him to positions of power? Ancient Near Eastern kings were a superstitious and paranoid bunch, so when they found a loyal advisor, it was like finding a pot of gold.

He Was Positive

Daniel had an awesome attitude. He was described as having an “excellent spirit.” He was positive and fun to be around. I think this is important because he served a pagan king in an overtly pagan culture. Daniel is a prime example of a nonconformist, yet the king enjoyed having him around. This tells me something about being a Christian nonconformist in a secular world that is increasingly anti-biblical values.

To be a nonconformist does not mean being a contrarian. What I mean as a contrarian is, “Someone who automatically tends to take the opposite point of view from the person to whom they're speaking, or to disagree with society at large out of a sort of knee-jerk reflex.”

Nobody likes that person who is always disagreeable, pointing out all the problems in things and is always negative. Daniel has instructed us from chapter 1, when he was a teenager, to chapter 6 as an old man, on how to be a nonconformist in a polite and civil manner. He clearly disagrees with the king, and yet is always invited back.

How do you stand up for Christ? As someone said, “are you persecuted because you are a Christian, or because you are a big jerk?”

There is a lot to stand against in our culture, but it takes a grace filled, humble nonconformist to be friendly while standing for Jesus.

He Was Pure

We also see that the other leaders where jealous and so they put out a full fledge investigation into Daniel’s life to find faults with him. Think about any person in politics today, the average man on the street believes that if you investigate any politician you will find dirt on them. One of my friends thinks that any potential presidential candidate has had to make a big compromise somewhere to be even considered. I know that’s a conspiracy theory, but think of what it implies, people distrust politicians.

Daniel was an advisor to the king, and he had a career in politics. These high officials sent in the Medio-Persian equivalent of the FBI and CIA to find dirt on Daniel. Guess what they found?

Nothing!

What if a private investigator began to examine your life today? They had access to your home, your school, your family and friends. They could hack your phone, your computer and video games. All they want to find is your weaknesses, the dirt in your life. What would they find?

For Daniel, they found his faith. Yep, that’s the worst thing they could come up with. He was a man dedicated to his God and he liked to pray!

Oh to be men and women like Daniel, that our biggest fault is our prayer life!

He Was Consistent

When the decree came down that prayer to anyone but the king was illegal, Daniel went back to his house and prayed. He had a prayer spot, where he went three times a day and prayed. It was his habit, his pattern. The officials knew it was his spot and laid in wait for him.

Later we see the king describe Daniel twice with the words, “the God whom you serve continually.” Wow! Another great testimony about his consistent walk with God.

If I were to show up to your school, workplace or home and began to ask people about your faith, how would they respond? Do they know if you are a Christian? Does your life demonstrate belief in God? Would they describe you as someone who serves your God continually?

What about your social media presence? If I were to look through your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. what impression would I have of your life? Is it consistent with your faith?

He Was Relational

Daniel knew how to make and develop friendships. Darius was distressed when he realized he was fooled into condemning Daniel.

Not to be redundant, but consider the fact that Daniel is a 85 year old Hebrew who is dedicated to his God and is good friends with the pagan king Darius. So much so, that Darius sought to find a loop hole in the law to save Daniel. Darius lost sleep and lost his appetite while Daniel was in the Lion’s Den. He rushed to the den as soon as it was morning to see if Daniel was spared. He loved Daniel.

What’s the most important thing, to be right or to see someone’s humanity and seek to build the relationship? We need to see everything through a relational lens. Jesus said that “all the law and the profits hang on” the two greatest commandments: to love God first and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  You could point out everyone’s faults all the time and have no friends, but a nonconformist is one who lives out the truth while building relationships by seeking the welfare of others.

Let me illustrate this with a true story, but I’ll change names and a few details to protect identities.

Fred had said something extremely hurtful in a public place. Lucy was deeply grieved and wanted to confront him and thought a letter would be best. So, Lucy wrote a long letter describing her point of view. Before sending the letter, Lucy asked me what I thought of it.

After reading it, I asked Lucy what her intentions were for the letter, did you want to cut the person out of your life or do you want to begin a conversation that can lead to reconciling the friendship? Lucy said she really wanted to keep the friendship.

I told Lucy that this letter would drive a wedge that may never be removed. Then I asked Lucy if she would mind if I edited the letter to capture more of the spirit she desired to have. We worked through the letter together and crafted one that valued Fred as a person, valued the relationship, and gently discussed the issue.

Long story short, it began a healthy dialogue and the friendship has been restored. Why? Because the letter changed from just being right, to valuing the relationship in pursuit of the truth.

He Was Blameless

Of course, we know the rest of the story. God spared Daniel’s life because he was found to be blameless before God and before the king. God vindicated Daniel and the king restored him to his position where he faithfully served until he died.

We have learned a lot from Daniel on how to be a nonconformist. It’s not easy. It’s an everyday commitment. It takes practice and you will fail at times. But God is faithful and He will continually work in and through you until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

A nonconformist loves God above all things. She cares deeply about her friends who are like minded and encourage her to follow God. He lives a pure life that communicates the truth of who God is in his life as a testimony to the world. Will you be a nonconformist?