JULY 15, 2025 – OPEN WINDOWS

READ: Dan. 6:10-17: … three times that day …  prayed and gave thanks before his God …

This is not merely a human conflict. Even though Daniel’s life is directly threatened, the real battle is spiritual – between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. What’s really at stake here?

What would happen if Daniel just prayed a little more discreetly for a month? Surely, he could still pray silently, without folded hands? Especially without open windows, as he usually did? Then no one would notice, and he wouldn’t be in danger.

But that is the subtle temptation – and it comes very close. Yielding to this would break true faithfulness to the LORD. It would mean that Daniel acknowledges Satan’s power to remove the public worship of God from the earth. But what about the Lord’s right? Doesn’t He deserve worship from all people? If Daniel gives in, the church falls under the temptation to bow before Satan.

The Lord Jesus would later face a similar temptation in the wilderness – a single bow to Satan. But that would mean denying God the Father and letting Satan win. That same issue is now at stake with Daniel.

But Daniel continues to pray as usual, with open windows facing Jerusalem, where the temple once stood (1 Kings 8:48). In exile, he prays consistently for God’s grace upon His people. Such prayer is a powerful weapon: the church brings itself to God’s remembrance. He is praised and glorified by her and His help is invoked.

Daniel shows in his life what it means to pray. One of his prayers is recorded in chapter 9 – a prayer of deliverance in which he asks for forgiveness and salvation. Our God is found by all who sincerely seek Him. He listens to such heartfelt prayers. But Satan wants to silence such prayer – to oppose God. That is the battle.

Yet Daniel persists, even facing death. He is arrested for his efforts.

What about our prayer life – at work, or in school?

Sing: Ps. 55:9