Daniel 2:19-23

Behold, Reader! the prevalency of prayer. Oh! what hath not prayer with faith in Christ wrought? When God the Holy Ghost gives a spirit of prayer, and leads the soul in Jesus into the very retirings of the Lord, so that we wrestle, as Jacob did; and act faith, as Elijah did; what mercies may not be expected to follow. See also those Scriptures, Genesis 32:24; 1 Kings 18:36; 1 Kings 18:36; John 16:23; John 16:23. I must not dismiss these verses before that I have called upon the Reader to remark with me the behavior of Daniel upon this occasion. As soon as the Lord revealed unto him the secret, he first poured out his whole soul in praise to the great Author of the mercy. He did not hasten to the King of Babylon before that he had first blessed the King of kings for his grace. There were numberless mercies Daniel found grace to be thankful for; and no doubt under the sense he had of the Lord's favor, his heart was melted before the Lord. See another beautiful instance of the like kind, 2 Samuel 7:1 throughout. Reader! is there nothing in all these instances, and which we read in the history of God's people, which is suited to you and to me, as they refer to our state and circumstances? Surely, Daniel's success in prayer, and the Lord's blessing in hearing, and answering prayer, will leave us without excuse, if we neglect to visit the throne, upon any and every occasion; especially with so many increased arguments, as we have in Jesus, our Great High Priest and Intercessor. Oh! thou Almighty Lord, that art in the midst of the throne! do thou cause this bright example of Daniel, to stir up thy redeemed to this most blessed and sure rewarding service, that we may be delighted in bringing all our concerns before thee, and by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make all our requests known unto God. Philippians 4:6.