WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:03.128 Leave that we are all done with the giving. 00:00:03.128 --> 00:00:22.071 Of course, for those who may have come after that moment, we have the offering boxes and the exits, so later on, as you exit, feel free to give your offering. 00:00:22.071 --> 00:00:24.173 Let's pray together. 00:00:24.173 --> 00:00:37.226 Father in Jesus' name, indeed, we thank you for your faithfulness, Thank you for bringing us this far, thank you for your presence. 00:00:37.226 --> 00:00:46.424 Every time we have gathered, you have been present, and even tonight you're present. 00:00:46.424 --> 00:00:54.365 And so, lord, as we, you open your word to us today by the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:00:54.365 --> 00:01:07.489 I am Bata Veso and I pray that you will delight in using me to speak to me and to speak to each one of us. 00:01:07.489 --> 00:01:14.069 For those who are following this service online, lord, I pray that you may minister to them as well. 00:01:14.069 --> 00:01:35.944 There are others who will catch up with this service later, and we want to pray that the same power and presence that has ministered and continues to minister to us tonight will minister to them as they engage this message and this time of prayer. 00:01:35.944 --> 00:01:39.465 Thank you again for answering our prayer. 00:01:39.465 --> 00:01:45.069 O Lord, your word says call unto me and I will answer. 00:01:45.069 --> 00:02:06.590 That is your promise, that is your assurance, and so, as we leave your house today, we know that you have heard us and your Father promised to show us even greater things than we have prayed for, and I pray tonight that somebody's prayer life will be encouraged. 00:02:06.590 --> 00:02:13.224 Somebody will be encouraged tonight because they came and because they have prayed. 00:02:13.224 --> 00:02:15.725 So we thank you for this moment. 00:02:15.725 --> 00:02:23.330 In Jesus' name, we pray and God's people say, god's people say hallelujah. 00:02:23.330 --> 00:02:30.105 Thank you, let's appreciate the worship team one more time for just leading us very well. 00:02:30.105 --> 00:02:31.751 We are really blessed. 00:02:31.751 --> 00:02:43.627 Thank you, pastor Edith and my brother Harman again also for leading us very well tonight and we want to thank each one of you for coming. 00:02:43.627 --> 00:02:45.542 Amen. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:56.430 There is a song we used to sing and it said you are blessed because you came Just by showing up in the house of the Lord. 00:02:56.430 --> 00:02:59.326 You are already blessed in Jesus' name. 00:02:59.326 --> 00:03:06.683 But Father, again, our God says that call unto me and I will answer. 00:03:06.683 --> 00:03:14.247 That is the promise of God as far as your prayer and my prayer is concerned. 00:03:14.247 --> 00:03:15.480 Amen. 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:19.830 He is a God who answers prayer. 00:03:19.830 --> 00:03:22.383 Let me repeat that. 00:03:22.383 --> 00:03:24.381 You know. 00:03:24.381 --> 00:03:27.224 Maybe you are saying but, pastor, he has not yet answered mine. 00:03:27.224 --> 00:03:30.745 It doesn't change who he is. 00:03:30.745 --> 00:03:34.126 It doesn't change His character. 00:03:34.126 --> 00:03:43.310 He is a God who is faithful to His word and one of the promises he makes is that he has answered. 00:03:43.310 --> 00:03:59.007 What a privilege that we can come before a God who answers prayer and what a privilege that we can make our requests and petitions known to Him. 00:03:59.007 --> 00:04:07.945 So I want to encourage someone and tonight I'm talking about prayer, by the way so I want to encourage somebody tonight that you are in the right place. 00:04:07.945 --> 00:04:14.712 You are in the right place doing the right thing, and that is prayer. 00:04:14.712 --> 00:04:20.420 Amen, please walk with me, because I believe the Lord has something for us. 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:24.687 We are reading the word of God from the book of Daniel. 00:04:24.687 --> 00:04:26.382 The book of Daniel. 00:04:26.382 --> 00:04:53.447 As you are aware, especially those who have been consistent with Baklan's Baptist Church, you know that our theme this year is the year of the Lord's empowered world changes and, particularly in this month of October, we have been focusing on the sub-theme empowered strategies, spirit-led excellence and our character of the month. 00:04:53.447 --> 00:04:55.963 Who is our Bible character of the month? 00:04:55.963 --> 00:04:58.987 Let me see whether we have some people who have been following. 00:04:58.987 --> 00:05:01.108 Who is the Bible character of the month? 00:05:01.108 --> 00:05:04.425 Who is the Bible character of the month? 00:05:04.425 --> 00:05:07.646 Ok, with confidence now it's Daniel. 00:05:07.646 --> 00:05:10.447 So who is the Bible character of the month? 00:05:10.447 --> 00:05:12.524 Good, good. 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:16.026 And so we are reading from the book of Daniel, chapter 6. 00:05:16.026 --> 00:05:20.302 It's a familiar passage, and let me read. 00:05:20.302 --> 00:05:33.249 The Bible says it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. 00:05:33.249 --> 00:05:39.267 The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 00:05:39.267 --> 00:05:52.666 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 00:05:52.666 --> 00:06:05.286 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. 00:06:05.286 --> 00:06:14.612 They could find no corruption in him because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 00:06:14.612 --> 00:06:28.350 Finally, this man 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. 00:06:28.350 --> 00:06:37.708 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said may the king Darius live forever. 00:06:37.708 --> 00:07:05.028 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisors and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next 30 days, except to you, your majesty, shall be thrown into the lion's den. 00:07:05.028 --> 00:07:18.725 Now, your majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered, in accordance with the law of the mids and the passions which cannot be repealed. 00:07:18.725 --> 00:07:22.829 So king Darius put the decree in writing. 00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:36.350 Now, when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room, where the windows opened towards Jerusalem three times a day. 00:07:36.350 --> 00:07:44.730 He got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 00:07:44.730 --> 00:07:55.269 Then this man went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 00:07:55.269 --> 00:08:15.192 Verse five tells us that then this man said we shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God. 00:08:15.192 --> 00:08:55.557 I don't know whether, wherever you are tonight, if people are to look for charges against you, I pray that one of the places at least they would look for is that which concerns your faith, hello, that people can conspire against you not simply on the basis of your tribe or where you come from, not on the basis of your agenda, but on the basis of your faith, and not just any other faith, but your faith in the Lord. 00:08:55.557 --> 00:09:02.379 But Verstein also tells us that now, when Daniel knew that the writing was signed. 00:09:02.379 --> 00:09:24.677 He went home and in his upper room, with his windows open towards Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees Three times as he did, he prayed to the Lord, giving thanks, talking about empowered world changers and specifically talking about strategies. 00:09:25.509 --> 00:09:33.400 Our senior pastor has put some very profound strategy statements in the theme vision. 00:09:33.400 --> 00:09:45.856 If you look at page 210 and 211, you will come across these statements, some calling strategy statements. 00:09:45.856 --> 00:09:59.736 He says our impact in the kingdom is engineered through empowered strategies Impact engineered. 00:09:59.736 --> 00:10:13.539 He also further says that our productivity in the world is facilitated through empowered strategies Productivity and facilitation. 00:10:13.539 --> 00:10:22.600 He's also saying our wisdom in the marketplace is unlocked through empowered strategies. 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:30.778 In short, we need wisdom, but this wisdom in the marketplace is unlocked through empowered strategies. 00:10:30.778 --> 00:10:38.413 He also says our effectiveness in our spheres of influence is guided. 00:10:38.413 --> 00:10:47.019 Our effectiveness is a guided effectiveness and this is done through empowered strategies. 00:10:47.019 --> 00:10:56.361 And then finally says our strength in dealing with emerging trends is enhanced. 00:10:56.361 --> 00:11:01.370 That capacity is enhanced through empowered strategies. 00:11:01.370 --> 00:11:22.941 So we need impact, we need to be productive, we need wisdom, we also need effectiveness and we need strength if we are going to be world changers that are going to cause transformation and impact in our world. 00:11:24.562 --> 00:11:25.490 And when I look at Daniel. 00:11:25.490 --> 00:11:53.157 Daniel demonstrates a marketplace minister is an example of a marketplace minister a man with a mission in the marketplace, who is very impactful, he is very productive, he is a man full of wisdom, he is a man full of strength. 00:11:53.157 --> 00:12:04.636 And all this he demonstrates through his public service career in Babylon, and I know I'm speaking to people. 00:12:04.636 --> 00:12:14.339 There are people we've already mentioned, madame Sophia in the marketplace and, even more specifically, in the public sector. 00:12:14.339 --> 00:12:47.640 Daniel has a career that spans through a number of years in Babylon and you can see these strategies, you can see impact, you can see productivity, you can see wisdom, you can see effectiveness, you can see strength in the way he administers and in the way he engages and that's a topic that's a topic for another day. 00:12:48.431 --> 00:13:04.879 But there are things we can see in the life of Daniel that I pray that you can receive them, because they are spiritually imparted, and the first one is that Daniel is favored. 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:08.379 He is a favored man. 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.792 Daniel. 00:13:10.792 --> 00:13:37.037 Chapter one, verse nine this is what the Bible tells us about Daniel when they just entered Babylon and the king chooses men that he would like to use, and Daniel has resolved in verse eight that he's not going to defile himself with the king's goodies and the things that the king had offered. 00:13:37.037 --> 00:13:40.278 The Bible tells us in verse nine, in verse eight. 00:13:40.278 --> 00:13:51.539 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way. 00:13:51.539 --> 00:14:02.801 Then verse nine tells us now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to this Daniel. 00:14:02.801 --> 00:14:05.255 Daniel is a favored man. 00:14:05.255 --> 00:14:10.736 May the favor of the Lord be upon you in the marketplace, in Jesus' name. 00:14:11.370 --> 00:14:15.299 But secondly, daniel is a promoted man. 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:28.958 Daniel, chapter two, verse 48 and 49, again, daniel has just interpreted a dream for the king and the king is in awe of what Daniel has done. 00:14:28.958 --> 00:14:35.216 And the Bible says in verse 48 of Daniel, chapter two then the king placed Daniel. 00:14:35.216 --> 00:14:38.496 I think it's the new King James Vashon. 00:14:38.496 --> 00:14:42.539 He says now the king promoted him. 00:14:42.539 --> 00:15:02.645 Yes, then the king promoted Daniel, or placed him, and he gave him many great gifts and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. 00:15:02.645 --> 00:15:06.558 All right, also, daniel petitioned. 00:15:06.558 --> 00:15:09.197 You know now that he was already in a place of authority. 00:15:09.197 --> 00:15:15.097 He was also able to petition for his brothers, as verse 49 tells us. 00:15:15.097 --> 00:15:19.340 But Daniel was a promoted man. 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:22.917 May you be promoted in Jesus' name. 00:15:22.917 --> 00:15:37.500 May promotion follow you in the name of Jesus, because promotion does not come from the east, it does not come from the west, it comes from the king of kings in Jesus mighty name. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:42.155 And maybe somebody has been stagnant in their position for way too long. 00:15:42.155 --> 00:15:48.794 May favor unlock promotion in that position in the name of Jesus. 00:15:48.794 --> 00:15:53.100 But thirdly, daniel is a man who is sought after. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:16:04.895 He's favored, he's promoted, but he's also a man who is sought after In Daniel, chapter five, verse 10,. 00:16:05.710 --> 00:16:07.836 Let's see what the Bible says 10, 11 and 12. 00:16:07.836 --> 00:16:13.914 This is after the king has seen a writing on the wall and he's trembling. 00:16:13.914 --> 00:16:21.399 Nobody is able to interpret this writing and the king's face has grown pale. 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:27.582 Nobody is able to tell what is written on the wall. 00:16:27.582 --> 00:16:31.195 And we thank God for wives. 00:16:31.195 --> 00:16:36.513 They store historical memory and so his wife. 00:16:36.513 --> 00:16:42.817 The Bible says the queen, on hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. 00:16:42.817 --> 00:16:45.437 May the king live forever. 00:16:45.437 --> 00:16:49.514 She said don't be alarmed, don't look so pale. 00:16:49.514 --> 00:16:52.317 Thank God for a wife who can encourage you. 00:16:52.909 --> 00:17:01.115 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him In the time of your father. 00:17:01.115 --> 00:17:07.674 He was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. 00:17:07.674 --> 00:17:12.917 Your father, king Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians. 00:17:12.917 --> 00:17:15.393 You remember the promotion he was now? 00:17:15.393 --> 00:17:16.698 Now this is unpacking. 00:17:16.698 --> 00:17:26.979 He was the chief of the magicians, the enchanters, the astrologers and the diviners Waganga wakohapo, wachawi wakohapo. 00:17:27.589 --> 00:17:32.101 And this man was the man in charge of all this. 00:17:32.101 --> 00:17:36.681 He had the power and authority over all these strongholds. 00:17:36.681 --> 00:17:43.338 Before they could do something, they had to come and seek permission from him. 00:17:43.338 --> 00:17:45.463 Say, you know, to not talk to you. 00:17:45.463 --> 00:17:46.212 You call a kid. 00:17:46.212 --> 00:17:48.192 You call a kid, can we go ahead? 00:17:48.192 --> 00:17:57.098 And he says because he had the power and authority over them, may you be in charge in Jesus' name. 00:17:57.098 --> 00:18:00.058 Take charge as a child of God in Jesus' name. 00:18:00.058 --> 00:18:15.220 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Beth Shaza, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:17.877 Then the Bible says call for Daniel. 00:18:18.390 --> 00:18:26.619 Another version says let this man be found, let him be sought, and he will tell you what the writing on the wall means. 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:31.615 He was a man who was sought, like our sister Sophia. 00:18:31.615 --> 00:18:40.759 May you be sought in Jesus' name, that when we are looking for the chairman of minerals rights board, that you can be found. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:47.173 Currently that one is occupied, but may there be one for you, as in Jesus' name, hallelujah. 00:18:47.173 --> 00:18:49.555 Daniel was sought. 00:18:49.555 --> 00:18:51.853 He was sought after. 00:18:51.853 --> 00:19:00.959 I don't know whether you are aware that I haven't yet started the message for today, just in case you're not aware, but finally, this Daniel was also trusted. 00:19:00.959 --> 00:19:02.954 Look at these characteristics. 00:19:02.954 --> 00:19:09.276 These are characteristics that should define a world chizer. 00:19:09.276 --> 00:19:19.019 These are characteristics that should define you, if you are going to make a impact for the kingdom, that you are a man and woman who is sought after. 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:29.183 That you are a man and woman who is favored, that you are a man and woman who can be promoted, but that you are a man and woman who can be trusted. 00:19:29.183 --> 00:19:30.365 Thank you. 00:19:31.131 --> 00:19:56.645 The Bible says in chapter, in verse three of the passage that we read today, chapter six, verse three, that, first of all, if you look at verse one, it says it pleased Darius, chapter six of Daniel, it pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps to be over the whole kingdom and over these three governors, of whom Daniel was one. 00:19:56.645 --> 00:20:00.232 And why did the king do this? 00:20:00.232 --> 00:20:06.080 He did this so that he might not suffer loss. 00:20:06.080 --> 00:20:13.739 Our president in this country has been talking about fighting corruption. 00:20:13.739 --> 00:20:28.876 He cannot fight corruption by being in every office, but he can fight corruption by having sorry, you've somehow become part of my salmon today, so so please forgive me and you're talking about rights. 00:20:28.876 --> 00:20:30.140 I didn't. 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:37.636 I didn't ask you for consent, but one of the areas that he should not worry about corruption is on the issues of Mineros. 00:20:37.636 --> 00:20:42.363 Because he has Sophia, sophia, sophie. 00:20:42.363 --> 00:20:52.443 Because he has Sophie there, your Excellency the president, you can sleep well in that department, because there is a woman who can be trusted. 00:20:52.443 --> 00:20:53.873 She is in our midst. 00:20:53.873 --> 00:20:58.423 This is what we are talking about when we talk about world changes. 00:20:58.423 --> 00:21:12.385 And so, when you look at this passage, the reason why the king has appointed Daniel and two other guys and 120 guys is so that there is no corruption in the kingdom. 00:21:12.385 --> 00:21:15.252 So he saw that he does not suffer loss. 00:21:16.694 --> 00:21:18.135 But then what does the Bible say? 00:21:18.135 --> 00:21:26.445 The Bible says, out of the three in verse four, daniel started distinguishing himself. 00:21:26.445 --> 00:21:45.063 In short, his level of trustworthiness became higher and was noticeable before the king, so that, for the king to sleep well, he started thinking about putting him above the governor's. 00:21:45.063 --> 00:21:50.394 May you be found trustworthy. 00:21:50.394 --> 00:21:58.003 May the king delights in appointing you because you are trustworthy. 00:22:00.431 --> 00:22:24.263 But then, talking about prayer, we find that the success of Daniel in his long career was anchored in his prayer life, and so tonight I want to encourage someone, and my subjects tonight is very simple Pray nevertheless. 00:22:24.263 --> 00:22:29.460 That's the title of my sermon tonight Pray nevertheless. 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:41.525 And that word nevertheless, then it means it contradicts what might be happening before that word. 00:22:41.525 --> 00:22:46.402 I'm not an English teacher, but it contradicts. 00:22:46.402 --> 00:23:00.354 So he says you know, when you hear somebody say John is a very hardworking young man, nevertheless, whatever is coming. 00:23:00.354 --> 00:23:07.184 I am here to encourage someone that whatever is before prayer, pray nevertheless. 00:23:07.184 --> 00:23:13.298 Whatever is in your life before prayer, pray nevertheless. 00:23:13.298 --> 00:23:19.045 I have received that report but I will pray nevertheless. 00:23:19.045 --> 00:23:23.435 I have received that bill, but I will pray nevertheless. 00:23:23.435 --> 00:23:27.663 I have received that appointment but I will pray nevertheless. 00:23:28.630 --> 00:23:45.661 The way things are looking, elijah was praying and there was no sign of any rain, but he kept sending his servant Go and check once again and the servant will come back with a battery in pot and say there is nothing. 00:23:45.661 --> 00:23:53.569 You know, I've had people counting the meteorological department that they promised as El Nino and it has not showed up. 00:23:53.569 --> 00:23:55.232 I pray it doesn't show up. 00:23:55.232 --> 00:24:01.022 Let us receive good rains from our father in heaven. 00:24:01.022 --> 00:24:03.211 It's a rain we want. 00:24:03.211 --> 00:24:05.776 It is not El Nino, we want, it is rain. 00:24:05.776 --> 00:24:12.731 Seven times his servant went and he came back with the same report there is nothing. 00:24:13.394 --> 00:24:20.529 But even with that report, elijah did not leave his position of prayer. 00:24:20.529 --> 00:24:23.856 He continued to pray. 00:24:23.856 --> 00:24:25.861 I am here to encourage somebody. 00:24:25.861 --> 00:24:27.384 Pray nevertheless. 00:24:27.384 --> 00:24:29.273 Pray nevertheless. 00:24:29.273 --> 00:24:31.440 Do not have another alternative. 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:35.589 Keep praying, keep praying, keep praying. 00:24:35.589 --> 00:24:40.105 Pray in the morning, Pray in the noon time, pray in the evening. 00:24:40.105 --> 00:24:41.589 Pray when you are alone. 00:24:41.589 --> 00:24:43.538 Pray when you have support. 00:24:43.538 --> 00:24:45.404 Pray when you don't have support. 00:24:45.404 --> 00:24:46.589 Pray when you have money. 00:24:46.589 --> 00:24:48.894 Pray when you don't have money. 00:24:48.894 --> 00:24:57.019 Pray nevertheless, because prayer is a strategy for your breakthrough. 00:24:57.019 --> 00:25:01.833 Prayer is attached to a promise. 00:25:01.833 --> 00:25:05.999 Say call unto me and I will answer. 00:25:05.999 --> 00:25:14.298 Call unto me and I will answer, and God is faithful to his word. 00:25:16.990 --> 00:25:23.529 Three characteristics, quickly, that define Daniel's prayer life. 00:25:23.529 --> 00:25:29.423 Number one is consistency, and I'm calling it the spiritual habit. 00:25:29.423 --> 00:25:34.042 Consistency is a spiritual habit. 00:25:34.042 --> 00:25:36.589 It comes with discipline. 00:25:36.589 --> 00:25:49.066 In verse 10, in this particular passage that we just read, of course we've already said that in verse 3, the king is already considering. 00:25:49.066 --> 00:25:59.272 Verse 3 says then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and the satraps because an excellent spirit was in him and the king gave thought. 00:25:59.272 --> 00:26:05.723 And for this to be known, then the king must have said some things. 00:26:05.723 --> 00:26:12.637 He must have demonstrated some favor, some likeness. 00:26:12.637 --> 00:26:16.163 He probably gave him more assignments. 00:26:16.163 --> 00:26:20.673 He probably consulted him more. 00:26:21.955 --> 00:26:25.082 You know, some of us, whatever we work, when we are given more assignments, we complain. 00:26:25.082 --> 00:26:29.856 We don't interpret it as favor. 00:26:29.856 --> 00:26:37.513 There was no additional salary, there were no additional benefits, there were just more assignments. 00:26:37.513 --> 00:26:39.298 Daniel, please take care of that. 00:26:39.298 --> 00:26:41.323 Please take it to Daniel. 00:26:41.323 --> 00:26:47.961 Ask Daniel what he thinks we should do, and some of us, when that is happening in our lives, what do we do? 00:26:47.961 --> 00:26:48.563 We complain. 00:26:48.563 --> 00:26:52.256 We say they are overburdening me, they are overloading me. 00:26:52.256 --> 00:27:01.021 I want to give you a secret See it as favor, start interpreting it as favor and start claiming what comes with favor. 00:27:02.070 --> 00:27:04.155 Promotion is what comes with favor. 00:27:04.155 --> 00:27:05.900 It's a strategy. 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:10.815 When they favor you, they promote you. 00:27:10.815 --> 00:27:20.314 When they promote you, they seek after you, and that's why you are ever in that committee. 00:27:20.314 --> 00:27:24.060 You are ever in that committee. 00:27:24.060 --> 00:27:25.824 I don't know whether I'm speaking to someone. 00:27:25.824 --> 00:27:30.316 You are ever in that team when there is need. 00:27:30.316 --> 00:27:34.763 Now, if you are never in that team, then you need to be working out something. 00:27:34.763 --> 00:27:37.936 You need to start doing something about yourself. 00:27:37.936 --> 00:27:42.094 But that's what you feel. 00:27:42.094 --> 00:27:56.076 And so when you are sought after, when you are favored, when you are a candidate for promotion, when you are trusted, the other thing you attract is enemies. 00:27:56.076 --> 00:28:14.875 Those are good enemies, because the more they plot and work against you, the more they uplift you and elevate you to the limelight, the more they take you to your knees. 00:28:14.875 --> 00:28:16.657 The Bible says that. 00:28:16.738 --> 00:28:33.098 When he learned that these guys are planning something in verse 10, the Bible says he went back to his room and he prayed and there is a key word there as he had always done. 00:28:33.098 --> 00:28:40.375 That was his custom, that was his lifestyle. 00:28:40.375 --> 00:28:43.138 He was a man of prayer. 00:28:43.138 --> 00:28:47.904 He had disciplined himself to be a man of prayer. 00:28:47.904 --> 00:29:01.076 Let me tell you, my brother, my sister if you learn to pray when things are good and you make it a habit and you make it a discipline, when things are rough, you will not struggle to pray. 00:29:01.076 --> 00:29:11.080 But if you wait to pray when the storm comes, many times you will only call on your mother. 00:29:11.080 --> 00:29:14.771 You've got those people. 00:29:14.771 --> 00:29:24.503 When things are very thick, even a grown man with the beards like myself, we will still call our mother. 00:29:24.503 --> 00:29:34.066 When you hear a grown man call his mother, then please understand, things are at their thickest. 00:29:34.066 --> 00:29:46.442 But you can avoid that by developing a lifestyle of prayer. 00:29:49.750 --> 00:29:52.617 There are a number of things in this consistency of this prayer. 00:29:52.617 --> 00:29:55.875 It tells us in verse 10,. 00:29:55.875 --> 00:30:15.215 The Bible says in verse 10, now, when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home and in his upper room, with his windows opened towards Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom. 00:30:15.215 --> 00:30:28.460 It was his custom to do these things, or these are things that were a package as part of his consistency in prayer, his spiritual habit. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.874 Number one he had a place. 00:30:29.874 --> 00:30:33.259 He had designated a place for prayer. 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:38.260 Do you have a place where you say this is the place where I meet with the Lord? 00:30:38.260 --> 00:30:40.335 I take time to pray? 00:30:40.335 --> 00:30:42.153 He had a place. 00:30:42.153 --> 00:30:54.382 Of course, that doesn't mean he never prayed anywhere else, but this place seems to be a very special place for his time of prayer. 00:30:54.382 --> 00:30:57.056 But secondly, he had a form. 00:30:57.056 --> 00:30:59.255 You know the Bible says that he knelt. 00:30:59.255 --> 00:31:04.378 So he used to pray while walking. 00:31:04.378 --> 00:31:12.761 He used to pray while sleeping, maybe, but at this particular place he prays while kneeling. 00:31:12.761 --> 00:31:20.083 It's very specific because the custom encompasses all these things. 00:31:20.083 --> 00:31:22.054 But suddenly he had a plan. 00:31:22.054 --> 00:31:25.855 He did this three times a day. 00:31:25.855 --> 00:31:28.733 It was not a hazard. 00:31:28.733 --> 00:31:33.258 Three times a day he was committed to prayer. 00:31:33.258 --> 00:31:40.641 But number four, his strategy was continuous prayer. 00:31:40.641 --> 00:31:48.839 In fact, the Bible doesn't seem to suggest he went to pray for this matter. 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:56.619 The Bible seems to suggest that he prayed as he usually prayed. 00:31:56.619 --> 00:32:01.717 He doesn't say and he prayed over this matter. 00:32:04.750 --> 00:32:18.161 When you learn to have a consistent walk of prayer with God, you enter into a relationship of conversation such that there are things that you already have an agenda. 00:32:18.161 --> 00:32:25.710 And maybe towards the end of his prayer, that moment, that day, that's when he may have introduced this agenda. 00:32:25.710 --> 00:32:27.855 By the way, god, have you seen that thing? 00:32:27.855 --> 00:32:28.759 That has been signed? 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:31.376 You've seen all those guys are doing. 00:32:31.376 --> 00:32:32.394 I know you will deal with them. 00:32:32.394 --> 00:32:34.092 See you later. 00:32:36.490 --> 00:33:04.773 It may not have been his key prayer item, because he prays to a God who answers and therefore he has made prayer a relationship with God and he has trusted him so much so that he knows that God knows his needs even before he speaks them. 00:33:04.773 --> 00:33:08.175 You know, sometimes we can go to God as though he doesn't know. 00:33:08.175 --> 00:33:11.083 He knows your need. 00:33:11.083 --> 00:33:15.178 God is aware of what you are going through tonight. 00:33:15.178 --> 00:33:18.011 He's aware. 00:33:18.011 --> 00:33:26.422 But God is inviting you to a relationship of prayer where there can be prayer chemistry. 00:33:26.422 --> 00:33:45.737 And that's why the Bible tells us in Philippians, chapter four, verse six and seven be and she has over nothing, but through prayer. 00:33:45.737 --> 00:33:47.691 Of course. 00:33:47.711 --> 00:33:50.219 The next thing that he did, he was a man of thanksgiving. 00:33:50.219 --> 00:34:04.803 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 00:34:04.803 --> 00:34:07.394 And then it says and the peace of God? 00:34:07.394 --> 00:34:10.940 He doesn't say and God will sort that issue. 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:13.349 It is in. 00:34:13.349 --> 00:34:19.398 The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts. 00:34:19.398 --> 00:34:33.132 There is nothing as important as and as comforting and as assuring as having peace of mind and peace of heart. 00:34:33.132 --> 00:34:41.833 And that's why David says though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. 00:34:41.833 --> 00:34:44.259 My heart will not be afraid. 00:34:44.259 --> 00:34:49.760 My mind, instead, will be focused on the table. 00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:54.802 The Bible says that he lays a table for me in the presence of my enemies. 00:34:54.802 --> 00:35:07.320 So when storms are around me, when things are happening around me, my mind is focused on the meal that the Lord has presented before me, because my heart is at peace. 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:13.282 You know, when your heart is not at peace, whatever you eat has got no taste. 00:35:13.282 --> 00:35:24.804 There are things you will eat when your heart has no peace and they are not going down the system. 00:35:24.804 --> 00:35:29.179 You know, whenever you swallow and you are normal, things are supposed to go down. 00:35:30.690 --> 00:35:39.304 One time I was invited by a friend for dinner, brother Elijah, and they served this dish from your area. 00:35:39.304 --> 00:35:40.264 I think it's moranda. 00:35:40.264 --> 00:35:43.057 Is it moranda, this thing that is slimy? 00:35:43.057 --> 00:35:46.097 Yeah, and I had never eaten that thing. 00:35:46.097 --> 00:35:51.719 I was with my wife, so that day I decided this thing I have not eaten. 00:35:51.719 --> 00:35:58.320 I think it is the one I'm supposed to eat a lot more to also impress my host. 00:35:58.320 --> 00:36:13.373 So, as we are talking, I put this thing in the mouth and I try to swallow and the thing doesn't go down. 00:36:13.373 --> 00:36:19.481 I'm even trying to lift myself to swallow this thing. 00:36:19.481 --> 00:36:20.811 It doesn't go. 00:36:20.811 --> 00:36:25.894 Now, that was a moranda moment. 00:36:25.894 --> 00:36:34.376 But may your heart have peace so that whatever you swallow, even if it's moranda, it goes down and you enjoy it. 00:36:35.670 --> 00:36:42.704 Peace comes when you have peace of heart and peace of mind. 00:36:42.704 --> 00:36:48.251 That is what God promises Sometimes. 00:36:48.251 --> 00:36:58.233 God will not remove us from the valley, but he will walk with us through the valley, and that makes the difference. 00:36:58.233 --> 00:37:02.757 Daniel seems to have known this. 00:37:02.757 --> 00:37:04.436 But secondly, his commitment. 00:37:04.436 --> 00:37:06.536 I will just highlight the other two. 00:37:06.536 --> 00:37:15.541 So the first one is his consistency, and that is his spiritual habit. 00:37:15.541 --> 00:37:26.570 But secondly, commitment why is Daniel committed to prayer Now? 00:37:26.570 --> 00:37:40.478 Verse 10 tells us now, when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, now, when Daniel learned that the decree had been published. 00:37:40.478 --> 00:37:43.833 That is a very important statement. 00:37:43.833 --> 00:37:47.170 It is on. 00:37:47.170 --> 00:38:11.476 You know, he went to pray knowing what has already befallen him, and so his commitment is not based on ignorance and therefore I'm referring to this as spiritual intelligence. 00:38:11.476 --> 00:38:19.641 Daniel has not gone to pray without knowing what is happening. 00:38:19.641 --> 00:38:45.996 He has gone to pray knowing that a decree has been published, it has been signed by the king, it cannot be repealed and it has dire consequences, and that, if he continues to pray, he is a candidate for the hungry lions. 00:38:50.409 --> 00:38:52.898 There are three things that inform our spiritual intelligence. 00:38:52.898 --> 00:39:00.300 Number one he knew his assignment, and that's why, if you look at verse three to four, it tells us he knew his assignment. 00:39:00.300 --> 00:39:08.099 He understood what he had been appointed to do, and that is what he committed himself to do. 00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:10.655 He knew he was a world changer. 00:39:10.655 --> 00:39:15.179 His assignment was kingdom based. 00:39:15.179 --> 00:39:18.217 He knew that he was there for transformation. 00:39:18.217 --> 00:39:21.217 He knew he was there for a change. 00:39:21.217 --> 00:39:25.378 He was there for the will of God to reign. 00:39:27.289 --> 00:39:36.974 When you understand your assignment, then you stay focused and that's why the politics of the day did not worry him. 00:39:36.974 --> 00:39:39.942 He went to pray. 00:39:39.942 --> 00:39:42.697 And secondly, he also knew his challenge. 00:39:42.697 --> 00:39:48.739 He knew that this had nothing to do with his assignment. 00:39:48.739 --> 00:40:03.974 Remember, in verse five, the Bible tells us that they sought something concerning to accuse him, concerning his work, his assignment, and they found nothing. 00:40:03.974 --> 00:40:12.476 They did not find negligence, they did not find corruption, they did not find nepotism, they did not find any of those things. 00:40:12.476 --> 00:40:16.458 So he knew very well it has nothing to do with my assignment. 00:40:16.458 --> 00:40:23.378 He knew it had everything to do with my faith, my God. 00:40:23.378 --> 00:40:27.692 And that is where the catch is. 00:40:27.692 --> 00:40:50.021 Because then, number three, he also knew this God and that's why Daniel will say again in Daniel 11, verse 32, that by the people who know their God will display strength and they will perform exploits. 00:40:51.869 --> 00:40:53.094 This is a man who knows his God. 00:40:53.094 --> 00:40:55.356 He knows it is not about my assignment. 00:40:55.356 --> 00:40:58.657 He knows it is not about you know. 00:40:58.657 --> 00:41:03.510 He knows it is not about what I have been assigned to do and he knows his opponents. 00:41:03.510 --> 00:41:07.420 He knows it is a conspiracy, but also he knows his God. 00:41:07.420 --> 00:41:16.739 Do you know your God when somebody is charging against your God, do you know your God? 00:41:16.739 --> 00:41:24.983 That's why the Bible tells us all other gods the works of men, they are not God at all. 00:41:24.983 --> 00:41:31.994 They cannot answer when we call, they cannot walk on their feet, they cannot think, they cannot act. 00:41:31.994 --> 00:41:38.019 But those who know their God will perform exploits. 00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:43.231 That is Daniel Efficiency. 00:41:43.251 --> 00:41:50.278 Chapter six, verse 10, reminds us about our warfare and many times we forget our warfare. 00:41:50.278 --> 00:41:53.677 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 00:41:53.677 --> 00:42:15.536 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 00:42:15.536 --> 00:42:29.936 When you know what you are fighting and you know who is fighting for you, you stay at the place of prayer and you are committed. 00:42:29.936 --> 00:42:34.637 You know he has never lost a battle. 00:42:34.637 --> 00:42:37.255 He has never lost a battle. 00:42:37.255 --> 00:42:39.554 He will not lose your battle. 00:42:39.554 --> 00:42:45.240 Your battle will not go into history as the first battle that God has lost. 00:42:45.240 --> 00:42:50.420 He is not about to lose your battle because he is the king of kings. 00:42:50.420 --> 00:42:55.978 If anything, that battle, you need to stand firm and see what the Lord will do. 00:42:55.978 --> 00:43:04.672 And for some of us he will just give us peace and the enemies will be wondering why is he not dying? 00:43:04.672 --> 00:43:07.875 Why is he not resigning? 00:43:07.875 --> 00:43:11.195 Why doesn't he have Alsace? 00:43:11.195 --> 00:43:14.876 Why doesn't he have headaches and she? 00:43:14.876 --> 00:43:20.958 It's because what God can do, no man can do. 00:43:20.958 --> 00:43:24.635 But finally, his confidence. 00:43:26.190 --> 00:43:35.317 This is what I'm referring to as the spiritual authority, the setrafs and the governors and these other fellows. 00:43:35.317 --> 00:43:41.063 Their authority was based on this. 00:43:41.063 --> 00:44:00.978 They told the king now king established the decree and signed the writing so that it cannot be changed according to the law of the means and the passions, which does not alter, and therefore the king signed the decree. 00:44:00.978 --> 00:44:03.496 That was their basis of authority. 00:44:03.496 --> 00:44:11.998 And if you continue reading down there, when they went and found him praying, they went to the king and said hey, king, did you not sign? 00:44:11.998 --> 00:44:16.719 Here is the letter you signed. 00:44:16.719 --> 00:44:18.831 It is signed. 00:44:18.831 --> 00:44:27.742 But Daniel's authority is the king of kings. 00:44:27.742 --> 00:44:28.724 Praise the Lord. 00:44:29.344 --> 00:44:32.710 Let me say the king of kings, as authority to change, signed things. 00:44:32.710 --> 00:44:37.643 The king of kings, as authority to change, declared things. 00:44:37.643 --> 00:44:44.215 Some of us have some cases in court and through dubious ways, declarations have been made. 00:44:44.215 --> 00:44:47.699 I'm here to tell you the king of kings is the Lord of justice. 00:44:47.699 --> 00:45:00.557 He is able to overturn, decrease, because, if you continue reading, that decree was overturned Though it was established by a statute. 00:45:00.557 --> 00:45:02.221 It was overturned. 00:45:02.221 --> 00:45:11.998 There are some statutes that will have to change in your organization because of you, and somebody will say oh, this one we overlooked. 00:45:11.998 --> 00:45:16.706 This one we overlooked Because the king of kings is able to turn. 00:45:16.706 --> 00:45:23.322 He has a prayer life that is backed by petition and supplication to God. 00:45:23.322 --> 00:45:25.847 But let me say there is an authority. 00:45:25.847 --> 00:45:29.215 There is authority that supersedes all authority. 00:45:29.876 --> 00:45:40.215 Matthew 28, verse 18, jesus says all authority, our God, our king, all authority in heaven and earth is given to him. 00:45:40.215 --> 00:45:50.215 And then the Bible tells us in John 14, verse 13 and 14, whatever you ask in my name, we have a name that we can ask through. 00:45:50.215 --> 00:45:56.166 He says in Acts, chapter four, verse 12, there is no other name for salvation. 00:45:56.166 --> 00:46:01.195 It is only the name of Jesus that can save a man. 00:46:01.195 --> 00:46:18.583 But then Peter tells us in Acts, chapter three, verse six he tells this man silver and gold, I have none, but in the name of Jesus, rise up and walk. 00:46:18.583 --> 00:46:49.195 Therefore, rise up, be on your feet in the name of Jesus, and I want you to take a moment and stand on that issue that is bothering you now by faith, and say now I am taking it from my head, I am taking it from my heart and I am bringing it under my feet in the name of Jesus, because there is power in this name. 00:46:49.195 --> 00:46:53.643 There is power mighty in this name. 00:46:53.643 --> 00:46:59.215 In Jesus name, I pray that somebody's life will become consistent in prayer. 00:46:59.215 --> 00:47:14.195 I pray that somebody's life will become committed, that you will have some spiritual intelligence, that you will have some spiritual authority, that you will walk a life that is governed by a spiritual habit of prayer. 00:47:15.117 --> 00:47:20.210 If you're going to be a world changer, prayer, prayer must be the anchor of your profession. 00:47:20.210 --> 00:47:22.215 It must be the anchor of your skills. 00:47:22.215 --> 00:47:25.402 It must be the anchor of your relationships. 00:47:25.402 --> 00:47:28.811 It must be the anchor of all the strategies. 00:47:28.811 --> 00:47:33.704 You must do what you must do, but nevertheless you must pray. 00:47:33.704 --> 00:47:35.186 You must pray. 00:47:35.186 --> 00:47:42.927 You must lead your family, you must take care of your children, you must guard your marriage, but nevertheless you must pray. 00:47:42.927 --> 00:47:55.597 You must meet your needs and obligations, but nevertheless you must pray, because there is something that happens when we pray and Daniel prayed. 00:47:55.597 --> 00:48:11.068 And when this man prayed, when he anchored his public service career on prayer, this man was favored, this man was trusted, this man was promoted, this man was sought after. 00:48:11.068 --> 00:48:18.215 May that be your portion, in the name of Jesus, as you engage as a world changer. 00:48:18.476 --> 00:48:19.740 Father, we pray tonight. 00:48:19.740 --> 00:48:25.501 May our lives never be the same again as we come to the end of the month of October. 00:48:25.501 --> 00:48:28.027