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Praying for a Movement of God

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. DANIEL 6:10-11 ESV

My prayers prepare me for God’s purpose

… He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. DANIEL 6:10 ESV

Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over \ the whole kingdom. DANIEL 6:3 NIV

… “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 NLT

My prayers open God’s heart to reveal his plan to me

My prayers provide God’s protection

So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” DANIEL 6:16 NIV

Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. DANIEL 6:18 NIV

At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” DANIEL 6:19-22 NIV

My prayers destroy the power of evil

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. DANIEL 6:23-24 NIV

My prayers can unleash a movement of God

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” DANIEL 6:26-27 NLT

My prayers go before me

My prayers will remain after me

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place where you are free from distractions and can still your thoughts and feelings. Take several slow, deep breaths or a walk if you sense this will help you to settle into God’s presence. When you are ready, commit the time to God for His guidance. Ask, where in your life do you sense a need for God to work in you or in someone else? How does Daniel’s example of prayer guide you in praying for this need? Picture what your life would look like if God used your prayers to do a miracle to meet this need. Ask God to help you to believe in the power of prayer (James 5:16). Spend some time this week asking God to work in this area, in other areas of your life, and in the lives of others. Close your time by thanking Him for the miracles He is going to accomplish through your prayers. Also, thank Him for how He will attract others to Himself by the witness of seeing Him working in and through you. Close your time by thanking God for this time together, writing any reflections in the space below and sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: What‘s a movie you love that demonstrates tremendous courage? What is it about that movie that you find so meaningful?
  2. START HERE: Do you ever find yourself embarrassed or afraid to pray? Why is that?
  3. START HERE: What do you think it means to ask God to invade your life?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Daniel 6:10-11 (NLT). What about Daniel’s prayer life impresses you? Why?
  5. KEEP GOING: Share a word or phrase that describes your current prayer life.
  6. KEEP GOING: “My prayers prepare me for God’s purpose.” Have you ever stopped to wonder what God might want to do through you? What comes to mind when you think about this?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read Daniel 6:19-22 (NLT) [May your God whom you serve continually, rescue you] Where in your life do you need rescuing?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: “My prayers can unleash a movement of God.” What’s the biggest thing you’re asking God to do right now?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Read 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT). Humbling yourself leads to being raised up. Where might God be humbling you?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Did you stand up to receive prayer this weekend? Where in your life do you need God to move? If you’re willing, ask your group to pray over you.