Prayer is a very personal practice. Most folks I know would never pray in public unless they were reciting something they know by heart, like The Lord’s Prayer. And then they would only do that in a group. Our personal prayer lives are appropriately considered private territory.
So, I’m going to share with you a little bit of my prayer journey with a bit of fear and trepidation. You see, I’ve been studying the book of Daniel, and for all the flashy things that are recorded in that book – interpreted dreams, fiery furnaces, lion’s dens, etc. – I’ve learned more about prayer. Daniel was living in “enemy territory.” He was a kidnapped Jewish youth being indoctrinated in Babylon. The first chapter records how he formed a small support group, consisting of himself and three other young men. These four first stood against the attempts of the Babylonian system to seduce them with “choice food” and “the king’s wine,” choosing rather to eat vegetables and drink water. They took a modest stand, and God granted them favor in order to stay with it.
The second chapter recalls when they began to learn about prayer, seeking God’s mercy first and foremost in the face of senseless death. His mercy turns out to be their salvation (sounds familiar!), and a whole lot of people’s lives are saved in the process. I can only imagine the witness that also produced.
The third chapter is where I want to focus. (Click here to read the chapter.)
Nebuchadnezzar has let the vision Daniel interpreted earlier (see chapter 2) go to his head. He places a huge idol (apparently representing him) in a large open area, and then summons all of his government officials and advisors and demands that they all bow down and worship said idol when certain music is played. Everyone complies, except for Daniel’s support group – Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (their Chaldean names) refuse the king’s demand. Their response to the king’s displeasure is a profound, faith-filled statement.
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan. 3:17-18 NIVO)
I know that I’ve often been guilty of a very different approach to prayer. I think of the things I don’t want to happen, and essentially pray preventatively. “God, please spare me/them/us from what it looks like will happen!” It’s almost fear-based. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking, “What if such-and-such happens?” I then find myself trying to tell God what to do based on what I fear or suspect or imagine might occur. It could be sickness, some sort of discipline, or perhaps persecution. Sadly, such prayers are based on things that have not and may never happen. As I’ve considered it, I’ve begun to believe that “what if” prayers are selfish. I’m trying to be in charge. I’m trying to influence God in a way that “heads trouble off at the pass,” so to speak.
The three Jewish youth being questioned in Daniel 3 take a very different view. They aren’t trying to head anything off. They are facing the danger squarely, and committing themselves to God regardless of the outcome. I suspect that Daniel was in his private rooms praying ardently for God’s mercy, but there was no illusion in any of their minds about the possible outcomes. Nebuchadnezzar was threatening. God was in charge. They were not.
My prayers are changing because of the example of these three Jewish men. If there are things I see that may potentially harm or disturb me or someone about whom I care, I’m starting to pray a different prayer. “God, even if you don’t do what I ask or hope, I will remain trusting in your love, under your care. Strengthen me/them/us to remain faithful.” It’s a faith-based prayer, rather than fear-based.
God never promises us that we will avoid persecution. On the contrary, Jesus tells his followers to expect it. If we follow him and don’t hide the fact, we will likely be persecuted. Jesus tells us it’s a blessing! (See the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-10, esp. v. 10 for how that works.) So, it stands to reason that we would trust God to carry us through it, and even give us love to respond to the persecutors! Even if he lets us suffer greatly, we can still trust him and not waver from our faith.
I want to encourage you today to consider some “even if…” prayers. The commitment they express overcomes fear and solidifies our position under God’s holy love and grace. What we desire may not happen, but even if it doesn’t, God will carry us through. Our job is to trust him in the midst.
We don’t know exactly what God might do, but if we take Azariah, Mishael, and Hananiah as our examples, God’s answer will be better than anything we could ask or think. Expect it, look for it, and give God praise when it does. He deserves it.