HCBC Sunday School - “Friends” Class
Unit 3 – Radical Faith
Never Give Up on Prayer (Daniel 6:3-7,10,16-23)

1) When Big Challenges Arise (Dan. 6:3-5)
a. Challenges, some big ones (empty nest, job promotion, retirement, death), make up the fabric of life for all of us.
b. Prayer, along with a deep faith and consistent obedience to God, will help prepare us to face life’s big challenges.
c. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. ~ I Cor. 4:2
2) When Faith and Culture Clash (Dan. 6:6-7,10)
a. First and foremost the allegiance of a Christian belongs to God.
i. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. ~ Matt. 16:24
b. When faith and culture clash, a disciplined prayer life can provide Christians the strength to remain loyal to Christ and refuse to get sidetracked by worldly practices.
i. Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: ~ Galatians 1:4
3) When Personal Danger Looms (Dan. 6:16-18)
a. Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. ~ Philippians 4:1
b. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. ~ Psalm 34:4
c. For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies. ~ Psalm 54:7
d. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ~ II Timothy 1:7
4) When God’s Help is All That Will Do (Dan. 6:19-23)
a. Jonah offered prayer as a final resort. Not Daniel! You and I should pray persistently and continually even when we have little or no control over our situation.


Prayer 101
5) Prayer is talking with Jesus, i.e., true prayer comes from a personal relationship with God.
a. Get saved. Follow Jesus.
b. Confess sin. (Sin is the greatest hindrance to prayer.)
i. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ~ James 5:16
c. Grow in faith.
i. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6
d. Examples:
i. Pray and tell Jesus your concerns and pains.
ii. Pray and thank Jesus for the blessings you receive undeservedly.
iii. Pray for your family, friends, church, and community.
iv. Pray that God might lead you in His will and way.
Read Matthew 6:6-13 See “Our Father”, “Hallowed be thy name”, and more.