The Power of a Lifestyle of Prayer

Pastor Cheryl Koop 

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Daniel 1:3, 4
And the Babylonian king told Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring in some of the children of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, well-favored in appearance and skillful in all wisdom, discernment, and understanding, apt in learning knowledge, competent to stand and serve in the king’s palace – and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.

Daniel 1:8
But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by eating his portion of the king’s rich and dainty food or by drinking the wine which he drank.

Daniel 1:9
Now God made Daniel to find favor, compassion, and loving-kindness with the chief of eunuchs.

Daniel 1:20
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king asked them, he found them ten times better than all the learned magicians and enchanters who were in his whole realm.

Daniel 2:28
There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets

How we can liken our lives to Daniel in ‘Back to Prayer”

1. In the midst of your circumstances, determine to choose life according to God’s Way

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it both day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.”


2. Expect Favor with others as you honor God.

1 Chronicles 4:10
Prayer of Jabez “O, that You would bless me indeed, enlarge my territory that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil that I may not cause pain.  So God granted him what he requested.”


3. Recognize your Source of Strength and talk with Him daily.

Daniel 6:10,11
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he got down upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.  Then these men came thronging by agreement and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

Martin Luther said, “When I have a lot to do in a day, I spend more time in prayer, because more work is done by prayer than by work itself."


4. Ask others to pray with you.

Matthew 18:19
“Again, I tell you if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever (anything and everything) they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.”

James 4:6 
“God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.”


5. Worship God

Daniel 2:23
I thank you and praise You, O God of my father, Who has given me wisdom and might and has made know to me now what we desired of You, for You have made known to us the solution to the king’s problem.