Walk with God | May 21, 2025

Season 19: The Power of Prayer

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 9:1-19

SHOW NOTES: For encouragement on your spiritual journey, we invite you to visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth, where you can access additional resources to enrich your Walk with God.

Daniel was a man dedicated to prayer. In previous lessons, we have examined two other instances when Daniel turned to the Lord and sought His wisdom and counsel. He was not afraid of the king; rather, he chose to continue his regular daily practice: “I will pray to the Lord three times each day.”

"I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So, I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes." Daniel 9:2-3

In the following sixteen verses, Daniel associates himself with the people of Israel and confesses their sin and disobedience. He acknowledges the greatness, lovingkindness, and mercy of the Lord.

"Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, Lord, look with favor on Your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!" Daniel 9:17-19

Daniel cried out with fervent prayer to the Lord on behalf of his people. He has provided a powerful example of prayer for each of us.

SONG: "Cry Out to Jesus" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fGk9hvAkQk

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 6

SHOW NOTES: We invite you to visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth, where you will discover additional resources to support your spiritual journey.

Daniel was an amazing man who believed in the power of fervent prayer. The more we study his life, the more we are challenged by his commitment to the Lord and his faithful prayer life. He was taken captive to Babylon as a young teenager and served there for over 60 years. In this historical episode, he learns that the king has signed a decree stating that no one should pray to any god or man for thirty days, except to King Darius.

"Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy." Daniel 6:3-4

The text does not explain why the other officials wanted to remove Daniel. Perhaps his integrity made it difficult for them to engage in bribery, fraud, and political corruption. They knew Daniel was a God-fearing man who did not worship pagan idols, so they devised a plan to trap him.

"When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house, where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously." Daniel 6:10

Daniel’s choice: obey his God or the government. It was very clear to Daniel that he would obey God. The new decree did not deter him! He would continue to pray three times each day for the city’s welfare and give thanks before his God!

Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” Daniel 6:16

SONG: "Before the Throne of God Above" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MUNywhsZPU

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2

SHOW NOTES: We invite you to visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth, to find more resources to support your spiritual journey.

Daniel was a man of fervent prayer. He was taken captive to Babylon and served there for over 60 years. In this first historical episode, he learns that the king had a dream and wants to know both the dream and its interpretation. The wise men of the court cannot reveal this information to the king.

The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” Daniel 2:10-11

Daniel learns of the king’s harsh order—kill all the wise men—and requests time to find a solution to the king’s dilemma. He returns to his house, calls his friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—and asks them to join him in prayer.

"He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon." Daniel 2:18

They asked for God's compassion to manifest through a revelation of the king's dream and its interpretation to Daniel. God revealed the secret mystery to Daniel. He believed this vision was an answer to their fervent prayers.

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.” Daniel 2:20-23

SONG: Perfect Wisdom of Our God - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSnzYnOe6kI

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 102:1-2

SHOW NOTES: We invite you to visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth, to find more resources to support your spiritual journey.

What is prayer? How do we pray? Does God hear our prayers? Does He answer our prayers?

Have you ever pleaded with God for something? Today, we will share two personal stories with you. God does answer prayers, and we have personally experienced this in our lives.

"Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly." Psalm 102:1-2

SONG: "Somebody Prayed" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-0QXi7cLwI

SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 20:1-11

SHOW NOTES: We invite you to visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth, to find more resources to support your spiritual journey.

In this current season, we have considered the prayers of people in the Bible—leaders, women, and kings. There are moments in life when we lose hope, feel overwhelmed, confront terminal illness, find ourselves surrounded by destruction, and face inevitable defeat. Where do we turn, and how do we navigate these challenging times?

King Hezekiah was the king of Judah who reigned in Jerusalem and walked with God. The mighty Assyrian army threatened to destroy the city, while their king, Sennacherib, mocked the Lord God.

"And he (Hezekiah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done." 2 Kings 18:3

During this time, King Hezekiah suffered from a terminal illness. The prophet Isaiah visited his bedchamber and declared that he would die. Upon hearing these words, Hezekiah prayed to the Lord.

"Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly." 2 Kings 20:2-3

King Hezekiah exemplifies his reliance on Yahweh. He approaches the Lord when the king of Assyria threatens Jerusalem. He cries out to the Lord when the prophet Isaiah informs him that he will die from his illness. God demonstrates His power to answer the prayers of a defeated, discouraged, and ill king who is facing certain death.

This is true in our lives. This is our God! He may not choose to heal us physically, but He is more than capable, and indeed, all who trust in Him will spend eternity with Him, healed and whole.

SONG: "Same God" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO1gwohd_zs

SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 7:18-29

SHOW NOTES: We invite you to explore our ministry website, Discover God's Truth, where you can find additional resources to support your spiritual journey.

King David’s prayer of gratitude offers us a significant lesson. He sat before the Lord and prayed, demonstrating humility in his posture while acknowledging the many good gifts and blessings bestowed upon him. David also pours out praise for his Sovereign Lord, who is holy, merciful, and gracious.

“How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you!” 2 Samuel 7:22

God’s greatness overwhelms David. He has performed great wonders! His name is exalted! God chose to bless David despite his sins because, ultimately, David sought to glorify God and serve Him with his life. God extends life and His unfailing love to each of us.

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” Isaiah 55:3

SONG: "How Great Is Our God" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWSKtoURGAg

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 2:1-10

SHOW NOTES: For more Bible study resources and to enhance growth in your Walk with God, please visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth.

Prayer is an essential part of our spiritual journey. Scripture is filled with examples of prayer and praying people.

Today’s lesson is Hannah’s prayer and praise for the Lord’s answer to her petition. She rejoices and takes great delight in Him. Hannah found her strength in the Lord. He miraculously delivered her from barrenness by giving her a son and turning her weeping into rejoicing.

Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because You rescued me. No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God." 1 Samuel 2:1-2

As Hannah offers this prayer to the Lord, she boldly acknowledges God's sovereignty and celebrates His holiness. The heart of this prayer is the importance of trusting in the Lord. Hannah exemplified this, and her faith led to a miraculous blessing from God.

SONG: "The Lord Will Provide" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18cA4lBvL5E

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 90

SHOW NOTES: For more Bible study resources and to enhance growth in your Walk with God, please visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth.

Prayer is an essential part of our spiritual journey. Scripture is filled with examples of prayer and praying people. These individuals were not perfect, yet they sought the Lord.

The Lord is the Everlasting God. His name—Yahweh—expresses His desire to establish a covenant relationship with His chosen people. He is the One True God and is eternal.

God’s clock is not like ours! A thousand years feel like a fleeting day or just a few hours at night. He exists eternally in relation to time. However, we are mortals, constrained by time.

Teach us to understand life's brevity, so that we may grow in wisdom (hokmah—the practical skill, discernment, and ability to live a life that pleases God, encompassing both spiritual and worldly aspects).

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

SONG: "From Everlasting" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ara0P_pUMO4