Morning Watch Verses…
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 kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. (Daniel 6:10)
IF WE WOULD WALK WITH GOD, we must meet with God in the morning and “pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17) throughout the day. Some people work at night and their “morning” begins in the afternoon. Whatever your morning is, that’s the time to meet with God for a few minutes. Do you feel you are too busy to meet with God? Busier than Daniel? If you are too busy to pray, the problem may be deeper than “too busy.”
MY GRANDMOTHER (my mother’s mother) named me after this Daniel, so my interest in him goes back to my childhood and the Bible story book she bought through the mail. As I recall, Daniel was on the cover of the book.
OUR TEXT VERSE TODAY TELLS US HOW DANIEL DID HIS PRAYING. (This is a good verse for us to memorize and quote before we get out of bed in the morning.) He broke the law of the land and prayed anyway. He went into his house to pray and his window toward Jerusalem was open. He kneeled upon his knees three times a day. He prayed. He gave thanks before His God (and part of his prayer was giving of thanks.) This was NOT a one-time or occasional thing with Daniel, but a regular practice.
WE FOCUS AGAIN ON "GAVE THANKS." An important part of our praying is for giving of thanks to God. He is worthy of our thanks and we desperately need to give thanks to One who is greater than us and who provides for us. One of the classic books on prayer is Dr. John Rice’s book: Prayer, Asking and Receiving. I have read it several times and marked important statements in the book. It is a very good book on prayer.
BUT, I MUST TAKE ISSUE ON HIS DEFINITION OF PRAYER: “asking and receiving.” Prayer is much more than that. The Bible includes thanksgiving as being a part of prayer. Be careful (anxious, worried) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)
I HAVE COPIED OUR TEXT ON A GREEN HALF-CARD for memory exercise all this month. I will also be writing the verse on a note pad several times a day and having Barbara to hold the card while I say the verse to her. I want to quote this verse before I get out of bed. And then quote it as part of my morning prayer. “Dear Lord, thank you for recording Daniel’s practice of prayer in Your Word."
“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 kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10)
“PLEASE HELP ME TO STRENGTHEN MY PRAYER LIFE to be like Daniel in the palace when his enemies were against him and against his praying to the God of Heaven.”
GIVING THANKS TO GOD IN PRAYER STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH. Our thanksgiving to God reminds us of what God has already done and encourages us to keep on trusting God to do even more. My friend, Pastor Bill Compton, loved to say: “He has given us His best, and surely He will give us the rest.” “GIVING THANKS TO GOD IN PRAYER STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH.”
IF I COULD GIVE ALL MY FRIENDS A MILLION DOLLARS APIECE, it would not be worth as much as their learning to walk with God and to meet with Him in the morning to begin the day. Pray in the Spirit. Pray in faith. Pray with thanksgiving. Ω
Read Through the Bible in a Year
AUGUST 7, 2018 – TUESDAY
A.M. Psalms 79-81 P.M. Romans 8:1-18
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
A Good Verse to Memorize:
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark 1:35) (Write verse on scrap of paper and put in your pocket to memorize.)
Song for Today:
Praise Him, Praise Him (3:13) (The Hymn Club- Goshen College- Mennon.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_nIRLD_5gE&list=RDh_nIRLD_5gE
Rock of Ages – (From Yesterday)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7gt_cSxjw
You may need to adjust your volume.
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