Faithfulness under pressure
Daniel was a Jewish exile serving in the government of the Medo-Persian kingdom. King Darius planned to place him over the whole realm because Daniel was trustworthy and exceptionally capable. Other officials became jealous. Unable to find corruption in him, they decided to use his devotion to God against him.
They persuaded the king to issue a thirty-day law: no one could petition any god or person except the king. The penalty was the lions’ den.
Daniel kept praying
Daniel knew the decree had been signed. Still, he went home, opened his upstairs windows toward Jerusalem, knelt, and prayed three times that day—“as he had done before.” The Bible specifically says that he prayed and gave thanks to God.
Daniel did not create a public spectacle. He continued the faithful routine he already had. Daniel 6:10
What exactly did he pray?
Daniel 6 does not record the exact words. It tells us that he prayed, petitioned God, and gave thanks. Daniel 9 preserves a different prayer by Daniel—confession, praise, and a plea for mercy—but the Bible does not say that was the prayer spoken before the lions’ den.
The den was sealed
The officials caught Daniel praying and forced the king to enforce his own law. Darius was distressed and tried to rescue Daniel, but the decree could not be changed. Daniel was placed in the den, and a stone was sealed over its entrance. The king spent the night fasting and unable to sleep.
Morning at the den
At dawn, Darius hurried to the den and called out. Daniel answered that God had sent an angel and shut the lions’ mouths because he was found innocent. Daniel was lifted out without injury. The king then issued a proclamation honoring Daniel’s God as living and enduring. Daniel 6:19–27
This page summarizes Daniel 6. Read the full chapter in the Bible Library inside Scripture Nexus.