CHANGING A KING’S HEART

November 24 

First of all, then, I exhort that petitions and prayers, requests and thanksgivings, be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life

 in all godliness and dignity. 1Timothy 2:1-2

It would seem likely that when Daniel arrived in Babylon and began to be trained to serve King Nebuchadnezzar, that he began praying regularly for him. It was not Daniel’s choice to be living in Babylon, but God had a plan and a purpose, and it seems that Daniel embraced that mission and sought to live faithfully. Reading through the book of Daniel, it is clear that Daniel was a man of prayer, emphasized by the account in chapter 6.  

In chapter 2, God provides Daniel an opportunity to point Nebuchadnezzar to Yahweh. Nebuchadnezzar even acknowledges, “Truly your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings…” (2:47). But he did not fully grasp who God was based on his actions in chapter 3. I wonder if Daniel ever became discouraged that his prayers didn’t seem to be bearing any fruit.  

But then in chapter 4, God humbles Nebuchadnezzar in an incredible way. And notice the result, (which I think was in part to Daniel’s prayers) as Nebuchadnezzar declares: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride” (4:37). Only God can change a king’s heart, and it is accomplished through the means of prayer. May God strengthen us to pray faithfully for our government leaders, no matter how proud and corrupt they may be.  

Joshua Steiner