Need I remind us that it is prayer? We can seek advice, pour over our computers, read books for insight, and fret over problems. But prayer puts us in touch with the all-wise God of the universe. No resource or power is greater. When we pray we move heaven and earth.

All the greatest men and women of the Bible were people of prayer. The prophet Daniel made it through stressful and dangerous times only by prayer. His book features God’s providence, but it is also a book of prayer. His parents must have trained him in prayer when he was growing up, for when he arrived in Babylon, he was soon engaged in it. Challenged and threatened by the greatest world ruler of the day, he and his friends prayed for “the compassion of the God of heaven” (Dan.2:17-18). The answers came. Then another great prayer was offered: “He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things…” (v21-22). Can’t God do that for us?

Daniel’s habit was to pray three times a day without fail, “giving thanks before his God” (6:10). Think about that! He was a captive in a foreign country suffering ridicule and constant threats, yet he thanked God for all his blessings! Lots to learn from that.

And when he poured out his heart to God, the Lord promptly sent him angels to explain the times. Angels may not appear to us today, but God’s wisdom and consolation does. Didn’t James say, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much”?

What are you worried about today? Who are you concerned about? What choices must you make? Sure, get some advice, read up on things and go online. But the most powerful thing you can do is pray.

Remember the old song, “Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?”

– Tim Johnson