Middle school · Day 2 of 5
Praying in a Crisis
Read: Daniel 2:14-23 (KJV)
14Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: 15He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. 16Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. 17Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 23I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.
Read the whole chapter ›What it means
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and demanded that his wise men tell him both the dream and what it meant. When they could not, he ordered all the wise men killed, including Daniel and his friends! Daniel did not panic. He calmly asked for time, then went to his friends and asked them to pray with him. God revealed the dream to Daniel, and Daniel immediately praised God, saying, "wisdom and might are his." Being brave does not mean you never feel scared. It means you run to God when you are scared. Daniel also had friends who prayed with him. Do you have friends like that? When something big and scary happens, pray first, ask others to pray with you, and thank God when He answers.
Key verse
“Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:”
Daniel 2:20 (KJV)
Think about it
- What did Daniel do first when he heard the terrible news?
- Who are the people in your life who would pray with you in a hard time?
- Why do you think Daniel stopped to praise God before going to the king?
Pray
God, when scary things happen, help me come to You first. Thank You for friends and family who pray with me. All wisdom and power belong to You, and I trust You with my problems. Amen.