PRAY: Daniel in the Den

I was feeling a little laggy in the creativity department, so I went to the Random Topic Generator over here to find something to write about. I clicked and clicked and clicked until I came across something about an image that moves you. I had been wanting to write something for this for a while, so now is the perfect time it seems.

This is a powerful image in so many ways. Many of you will recognize it as the Bible character Daniel who is in the lion's den. This story in the Bible is stirring, but why this picture is so meaningful to me is that it was given to my mom by Jay. This was a cherished portrait of his and before he ended his life, he passed it onto her. We feel so strongly that this is how he felt. Trapped in a small room with evil at his feet, crying out to Jesus. I will forever cherish this and some day when my mom chooses to give it to me, I'll display it proudly in my home.

The story of Daniel in the Lion's Den, is one of trust and faith in our Lord and Savior. If we call out to Him, He will protect us from the wicked.

 ¹⁶ So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
 ¹⁷ A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. ¹⁸ Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
 ¹⁹ At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
 ²¹ Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! ²² My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
 ²³ The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
 ²⁴ At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
 ²⁵ Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:
   “May you prosper greatly!
 ²⁶ “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
   “For he is the living God
   and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
   his dominion will never end.
²⁷ He rescues and he saves;
   he performs signs and wonders
   in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
   from the power of the lions.”