God Shut The Lion’s Mouths

King Darius was about to appoint Daniel over his entire empire. All of the king’s administrators were jealous. To trap Daniel, the administrators tricked the king into signing their proposed law—not to let anyone pray for 30 days. Knowing Daniel prayed three times per day, the administrators burst into his room and caught him “breaking the law.” King Darius didn’t want to harm Daniel, but he couldn’t retract the law. So Daniel was thrown into the lion's den to be killed.

What I love about this story is how King Darius’ heart hurt for Daniel. “Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.” -Daniel 6:18 We find out the next day that the lions did NOT eat Daniel! “My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” -Daniel 6:22

Isn’t it interesting that the king fasted “for” Daniel and the lions fasted “from” Daniel? Is there something or someone your heart hurts for? Consider fasting from food or entertainment and replacing that time with prayer.

DO THIS TODAY: Choose to fast and pray for someone.