# Daniel in the Lions’ Den: faithfulness under pressure (Daniel 6)

> Officials jealous of Daniel persuade King Darius to sign a decree forbidding prayer to anyone but the king. Daniel keeps praying three times a day at his open window. He is thrown into the lions’ den, and in the morning he is found unharmed: God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths.

> My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
> — Daniel 6:22 (King James Version)

> Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
> — Daniel 6:23 (King James Version)

Daniel serves King Darius so well that the king plans to set him over the whole kingdom. Other officials look for something to accuse him of and find nothing — except his faithfulness to his God.

## A law written as a trap

They persuade the king to sign a decree: for thirty days, anyone who prays to any god or man except the king will be thrown into the lions’ den. Under the law of the Medes and Persians, it cannot be changed.

## An open window

Daniel knows the decree has been signed. He goes home, opens his windows toward Jerusalem, and kneels to pray three times a day, giving thanks as he always has. His accusers find him and report him. The king is deeply distressed and tries until sunset to save him, but he is bound by his own law.

## The longest night

Daniel is put into the den and a stone is sealed over its mouth. The king spends the night fasting and sleepless. At first light he hurries to the den and calls out. Daniel answers that God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths.

## Questions to carry

What is your "open window" — the practice you would keep even under pressure? What does it look like to be faithful without being loud?

## Read the chapter

Read [Daniel 6](/en/bible/daniel/6) in full.

## Sources

- [Daniel 6 (King James Version)](https://api.getbible.net/v2/kjv/27/6.json)
- [Gustave Doré, Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Wikimedia Commons)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:131.Daniel_in_the_Lions%27_Den.jpg)