“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.”

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.

The purpose of Daniel informing his three friends was that they might pray about the situation.  He believed in united prayer.  He and his friends prayed for “mercies from the God of heaven.”  “Mercies” are God’s desire to meet the needs of His people. 

The phrase “the God of heaven” occurs five times in this chapter (vv. 18, 19, 28, 37, 44).  They worshiped a sovereign God.  Daniel uses it one more time at 5:23.

PRINCIPLE: 

God blesses team prayer. 

APPLICATION: 

Daniel knew how to pray.  Do we know how to pray? 

Ja 5:16,  “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

The principal parts of prayer are five:

1)      Confession

2)      Thanksgiving

3)      Praise

4)      Intercession (praying for others)

5)      Petition (praying for self)

Also, praying companions are crucial to our Christian walk.  Jesus had his disciples.  Paul had Timothy, Titus, and many other companions.  There is power in united prayer.