如常祷告
但以理书六章10至16节
10但以理知道这禁令盖了玉玺，就到自己家里（他楼上的窗户开向耶路撒冷），一日三次，双膝跪在他神面前，祷告感谢，与素常一样。
11那些人就纷纷聚集，见但以理在他神面前祈祷恳求。
12他们便进到王前，提王的禁令，说：王啊，三十日内不拘何人，若在王以外，或向神或向人求甚么，必被扔在狮子坑中。王不是在这禁令上盖了玉玺么？王回答说：实有这事，照玛代和波斯人的例是不可更改的。
13他们对王说：王啊，那被掳之犹大人中的但以理不理你，也不遵你盖了玉玺的禁令，他竟一日三次祈祷。
14王听见这话，就甚愁烦，一心要救但以理，筹划解救他，直到日落的时候。
15那些人就纷纷聚集来见王，说：王啊，当知道玛代人和波斯人有例，凡王所立的禁令和律例都不可更改。
16王下令，人就把但以理带来，扔在狮子坑中。王对但以理说：你所常事奉的神，他必救你。
信息分享
当但以理得悉王已立了禁令，除王以外不准向别神祷告，他有甚么反应呢？
在宫廷内发生的事情是很难守得住秘密的；一切的勾心斗角、尔虞我诈和贪污腐败，都很快引起流言。当但以理接获王命之后，一定很快便察觉到该禁令是冲着他而来。但他对禁令的反应，却非常值得我们学习。
首先，我们要留意的是，他没有对王产生怨怼之心。他大可以这样想：「哼，枉费我一直尽忠职守，他竟然这样对我！」
他的内心究竟有没有想过要妥协呢？撒但可能向他提议：「算了吧，禁令的有效期只不过是30天；停止祷告30天，也没有甚么大不了。」又或是：「你可以继续祷告，只要换个方式便行。例如晚上趁没有人看见，坐在床上祷告便行。」
倘若这些意念真的在但以理的脑际擦过，他显然立即便拒绝了它们。第10节清楚告诉我们，他一如既往地跪在窗前，一日三次向神祷告。他甚至打开那些面对耶路撒冷圣殿的窗户，让街外的人清楚看见他祷告。他还跪下向神感恩──有甚么可以感恩呢？神的良善和信实？他有否为到那些存心谄害他的人祷告呢？
除了像素常一样地公然祈祷，他也如常地工作。他这种平静安稳的表现，充分证明他已将自己完全交在神的手中，且深信神掌管他的生命。即使他最终要死，他仍然深信神必与他同在。
我们遇到试炼的时候，会有甚么反应呢？我们也许不需要面对但以理那种严峻的考验。可是，当我们陷入人生的困境时，我们的祷告生活便备受考验，我们究竟能否坚持祷告？其实，当我们面对考验的时候，最需要的正是祷告；同时也是我们最需要见证信心的时刻。
请记着，任何法令或政权，都不能拦阻我们去到神的施恩座前祷告。
PRAYER TIME AS USUAL
Daniel 6:10-16
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
Message
There would not be many secrets in that Eastern Court. Intrigue, jealousy and corruption would be well-known. Daniel would quickly realize that the decree was aimed directly at himself most of all. His reactions to the decree are a remarkable example for us.
It is worth noting that he did not react against the king, the one who signed the new law. Daniel could have thought, "After all I've done for him, the king does this to me."
Was he tempted to compromise? Did Satan make the suggestion, "Why not just stop praying to God for the 30 days mentioned in the decree? Or if you must keep on praying, then do it in bed at night where no one will see you?"
If those thoughts did come to Daniel, it is obvious that he immediately rejected them. Verse 10 plainly states that he maintained his daily prayer times as usual. Daniel even opened his windows which faced the direction of the now ruined temple in Jerusalem. Then kneeling down, he gave thanks to God - for what? God's goodness and faithfulness? Did he pray for the men who were trying to destroy him?
Daniel went on with his work as usual. He openly prayed as he always did. His calmness clearly indicated that he had committed himself completely to God and knew his life was in God's hands.Even if the outcome was death, he was confident he would go through even that experience with God.
What are our reactions when we are tested? We may never face the ultimate test which Daniel faced, but the consistency of our prayer life often suffers when we are under fire. That is the time we need it most and when our faith in God needs to be clearly seen.
Remember: No state law and no government can block our open door to God's throne in prayer.