Prayer: A Supernatural Pattern That Keeps Us From Being Eaten Alive
We eat at all kinds of tables throughout our day - the kitchen counter, our desk at work, even in the driver's seat between errands. We're constantly feeding our bodies with snacks and meals, but how often do we feed our souls the same way? There's a hunger that food can't touch, and prayer isn't just something we should do - it's somewhere we get to go.
Why Do We Only Pray in Crisis?
Think about it: when does prayer typically become urgent in our lives? Usually when danger strikes unexpectedly, like a mountain lion attacking from tall grass. Suddenly, we become praying people when life's teeth and claws are on the attack. But what if prayer is so much more than a last-ditch effort or a Hail Mary for help?
The reality is that not every "lion" comes with literal teeth. Some prowl in boardrooms, bedrooms, break rooms, or in the quiet spaces of our own minds. Some strike even when we're doing everything right. Prayer should be a supernatural pattern that keeps us from being eaten alive - not just an emergency response.
What Can We Learn From Daniel's Prayer Life?
Daniel's story in the Old Testament shows us what consistent prayer looks like under pressure. Stolen from his home and forced into Babylon's royal court, Daniel quietly resisted conforming to foreign ways while choosing faithfulness over comfort. His secret? Prayer was his pattern, not just his panic button.
When Daniel's enemies looked for scandals in his life, they could only find one fault: his relationship with God. They literally said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."
Could People Say the Same About You?
When people examine your life, is your prayer life so consistent that it's the only thing they could use against you? Daniel's prayer routine was so predictable that his enemies set a trap around it. Three times a day, he was in his prayer closet - morning, midday, and evening.
Making Prayer Predictable in Your Life
What in Your Life is Predictable?
Most of us have predictable patterns - maybe it's scrolling our phones, visiting certain restaurants, or working out in the same parking lot. Our devices probably know more about us than our spouses do because of our predictable digital habits. But what about our prayer life?
If prayer became illegal tomorrow, would you be in any danger? Daniel didn't hesitate when the decree was published. He went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and prayed three times a day just as he had done before. No questioning, no hiding - just consistent faithfulness.
Prayer Should Be Consistent, No Matter the Cost
Daniel's consistency didn't waver even when facing hungry lions. Are you willing to pray publicly at restaurants despite what others might think? Will you take prayer breaks at work? Prayer should be consistent regardless of the circumstances or potential embarrassment.
How to Develop Daniel's Prayer Pattern
1. Set a Time to Pray
Daniel clearly had a pattern of three times daily - morning, midday, and evening. The psalmist writes, "Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice" (Psalm 55:17). What is your daily prayer time? How often are you actually praying?
2. Stick to Your Prayer Time No Matter What
Don't find excuses to bypass prayer - find excuses to make it happen. If you're at work, take a bathroom break if needed. By federal law, employers must accommodate religious practices when requested. Make prayer a priority like you make eating a priority.
Daniel faced threats of punishment, and Jesus was constantly surrounded by crowds needing attention. What's our excuse? We're too busy? We can't pause our shows? Most of us aren't even watching live TV anymore - hit pause and spend time in prayer.
3. Keep Feeding Your Prayer Life Until You're Hungry for More
The more you pray, the more you'll want to pray. Feed your prayer life until you're hungrier for time with God than for food, money, pleasure, success, or acceptance. Jesus said, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
What Should We Bring to God in Prayer?
We often think some things are too big for us to carry or too small to bring to God. The truth is, God wants us to bring everything to Him. Just like earthly parents delight when their children share even seemingly insignificant details about their day, our heavenly Father wants to hear about every aspect of our lives.
Don't Wait for Crisis to Pray
You don't have to wait to be tested, tempted, or trapped to pray. You can pray right now, anytime. You don't need to wait for enemies to trick you or lions to surround you. You can pray without ceasing.
Prayer requires discipline. Those who don't set aside a certain place and time each day to do nothing but pray can never expect their scattered thoughts to become unceasing prayer.
Life Application
This week, establish a predictable prayer pattern in your life. Choose three specific times each day - morning, midday, and evening - to spend time in prayer, just like Daniel did. Don't let busyness, embarrassment, or circumstances derail this commitment.
Start small if needed, but be consistent. Whether it's five minutes or thirty, make it non-negotiable. Remember, God wants to use you to impact others through your faithful example of prayer.
Ask yourself these questions:
- If prayer became illegal tomorrow, would there be enough evidence to convict me?
- What predictable patterns do I have that could be redirected toward prayer?
- Am I bringing both big and small concerns to God, or am I trying to handle everything myself?
- How can I make prayer as much of a priority as eating or checking my phone?
Prayer is a supernatural pattern that keeps us from being eaten alive by life's challenges. Don't wait for the lions to attack - establish your prayer rhythm now, and watch how God uses your faithfulness to impact not just your own life, but the lives of those around you.