Facing Jerusalem

 Daniel is one of my faith-heroes! His steadfast integrity towards man and faithful worship towards his God have always impressed me, and spurred me on in my own walk of faith.

In Daniel 6 we read a few interesting facts about Daniel’s prayer life:

Daniel 6:10

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

He prayed facing Jerusalem. Did you know that this was a custom that developed because of Solomon’s prayer when he dedicated the temple that he had built to God? In this prayer he entreats God no less than eight times that He will hear the prayers of those who face the altar in the temple in Jerusalem when they pray.  Concerning Daniel’s situation in particular, Solomon prayed this:

1 Kings 8:46 & 48

When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,

If they turn to you with their whole heart and soul in the land of their enemies and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors—toward this city you have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor your name—then hear their prayer…

And Daniel prayed on his knees. This is something he probably also took from Solomon’s prayer that day:

1 Kings 8:54

When Solomon finished making these prayers and petitions to the LORD, he stood up in front of the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands raised toward heaven.

We know that because of what Jesus has done for us, we have freedom in the Spirit to pray anywhere, at any time, facing anywhere, in any posture before Him. But there is something to be said for what Daniel mirrored for us:  I am sure that Daniel prayed many times throughout the day, but three times a day he prayed formally. This ‘habit’ kept him connected with his God throughout his life. Also, his posture of kneeling showed the humility he had before God, his submission to Adonai, the Lord and Master of his life.

Points to ponder:   Diarise a specific time in your day for prayer, making it a set appointment even though you are praying at other times as well. And consider kneeling/prostrating before Him in that time, to teach your flesh a lesson or two! Face Him, gaze upon Him…

Falling on my knees