DANIEL 2:18
 

that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. [NKJV]
 

 He told them to pray to the God of heaven, asking for help regarding this mystery, so that he and his friends would not be killed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. [FBV]

HOUSE FELLOWSHIP, PRAYER PARTNERS

The three friends and Daniel, who were "Companions" also became "Partners" in Prayer. They were "Prayer Partners," which meant a group or team that has bound themselves with the task and goal of praying, interceding, for specific outcomes, changes, salvation, deliverance, healings, etc, to be granted to or on their behalf. Sometimes they do these in wrestling or warfare with spirits and powers, which earn them the title, "Prayer Warriors."

In the Bible verse above, Daniel charged or urged his companions to join together to Watch and Pray lest they enter into temptation. Those were not the exact words Daniel used for his three prayer partners (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah); but those were the words the Lord Jesus Christ used for His three prayer partners (Peter, James, and John). In both instances, a decree was issued that warranted soldiers and men on mission seeking to arrest, try and to kill, those Wise, Righteous and Holy Men.

The Lord Jesus Christ made that statement, "Watch and Pray that you do not enter into temptation" to His three prayer partners. But He Himself was not supposed to "Watch and Pray to not enter into temptation," rather He was supposed to "Watch and Pray to enter into the temptation or drink that Cup from God." His Disciples or Prayer Partners may watch and pray against entering into temptation, but the Lord Jesus Christ ought to watch and pray for Him to willingly enter into the temptation. The reason being that if the Lord Jesus Christ entered into the Temptation, then the other Prayer Partners and Sheep would not have to enter into the Temptation because the Lord Jesus had gone into it on their behalf. But if the Lord Jesus escaped from the temptation, then those other Prayer Partners and Sheep must be caught into that temptation. So when He was finally caught, He submitted Himself but asked that His Partners, Companions and Sheep, be free to go since He is delivered into their hands. That was how those Prayer Partners with Him, who were basically found sleeping more than they were praying, did not eventually enter into that temptation; not because they were watching and praying enough, but because their Leader went into the Temptation for them to be delivered or kept from the Temptation.

However, in the case of Daniel in the Bible verse above, they all had to watch and pray lest they all enter into that temptation and get killed when angel (messenger) of death, that was not after the firstborn sons but after the wise men in Babylon, was unleashed.

This was the Prayer Point Daniel gave to them after sharing with them the hidden agenda and conspiracy against the wise men:

"Pray for Mercies (Grace) of God to give them Revelation (Knowledge) into that mystery, so that they would not join those who are destroyed for lack of knowledge though they be called wise men."

Listening to the Spirit of God, Daniel made a very wise Prayer Point here. There are lots of foolish prayer points, which I also made, the last of which was last month.

Looking at this Daniel's Prayer Point: understand the context (circumstances) and the structure (order):

*1* The Context or Circumstances: They were under imminent danger and threat to getting beheaded or killed any moment, and their death was ordered by the king of the world where they were.

*2* The Structure or Order of their Prayer Point: Their Prayer Point was structured or arranged in such a way that made their circumstances establish their prayer point or petition. This means, what was against them in challenges was for them in prayer Petitions. What was troubling them was supporting their prayer point. What was accusing them was excusing them in prayer points. So they were "Not Praying Against;" but rather they were "Praying for."

Our past mistake here was praying against our adversaries, against enemies, against poverty, against problems, against things that affect us negatively, etc. But our correction is to learn and begin praying for things that will enable us grow stronger and better because of enemies or things that are threatening us.

A wise man said, "Do not ask God to make your enemies or challenges weaker; rather ask God to make you stronger, wiser and better because of your enemies or challenges."

Your goal should always be to receive more grace, more gifts, more mercies, more exaltations or promotions, etc from God; and the evidence or good reasons to present before God why He should give those to you are your enemies' threats, persecutions, dangers, tribulations, mockery and hatred against you. So when God sees those against you, God will assess and increase those for you, and your helpers or grace will increase.

This is the true meaning of God preparing a table for you in the presence of your enemies. That enemies or challenges presence is even helping you earn God's table for you if you know how to direct your prayer points or requests to God.

Here are few examples of people who were not asking God to reduce their enemies, tasks or challenges; but asking God to increase or add gifts (grace) to them because of the enormousness of those enemies, challenges or tasks before them.

*1* Solomon asking for Wisdom and Understanding in the face of enormous tasks of leading God's People:

[I Kings 3:9‭-‬13 NKJV] — Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.

*2* Daniel asking God for Higher Wisdom, Revelation and Knowledge into deeper Mysteries or Secrets that are far beyond those wise men among any human realms can know, in the face of danger of death to him and his partners, seeing only by receiving such gifts or grace of God would they be delivered from death without need to escape or secretly run.

That was how Daniel was given a higher level of revelations and understanding of dreams, visions, dark mysteries, which even some angels do not have; and whoever has such gifts or grace dwells among the gods because such knowledge or gifts will do much more for that man, more than the Serpent promised to Eve that tree of knowledge of good and evil would do for her if she ate of it.

*3* The Christian Association of the Early Church saw or faced the conspiracies and threats against them by the government and ruling religious leaders. But instead of them praying God to scatter their plans, put confusion into their midst or send down holy ghost fire to consume them; rather the Prayer Partners used those threats against them as reasons or excuse for them to ask and receive more power, more grace and more boldness, doing more miracles, signs and wonders.

[Acts 4:29-31,33] — "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to Your servants, that with all boldness they may speak Your word, By stretching forth Your Hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Your Holy Child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness. … And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was on them all."