Daniel 6:1 to 6:23 God protects those who stand faithful to Him in prayer, and no earthly power can stop the living God. Learn why Daniel was thrown into the lions' den for praying to God. Discover how God sent his angel to shut the hungry lions' mouths. Commit to being faithful in daily prayer even under peer pressure. During the Babylonian exile and the Medo-Persian empire, Daniel served as a top administrator in Babylon. His exceptional honesty made corrupt officials bitterly jealous. The Plot Against Daniel King Darius appointed [Daniel](/bible/explorer/person/daniel) as one of three chief administrators over the entire Persian kingdom. Daniel had an excellent spirit, and the king planned to set him over the whole realm. Jealous officials tried to find dirt on Daniel, but he was completely trustworthy: no corruption, no bribes, and no negligence! Finally, they realized: "We will not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God." Windows Open Toward Jerusalem They tricked the king into signing a royal decree: anyone who prayed to any god or man other than King Darius for thirty days must be thrown into a den of lions! When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, what did he do? Did he hide in a closet? No! He went home, opened the windows of his upper room toward [Jerusalem](/bible/explorer/place/jerusalem), got down on his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, just as he had done previously. God Shuts the Lions' Mouths The wicked spies caught Daniel praying and forced the grief-stricken king to throw him into the pit of hungry lions, sealing the stone with the royal signet ring. The king could not sleep all night. At the break of dawn, Darius ran to the den and cried: "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to deliver you from the lions?" Out of the darkness, Daniel called: "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me!" Daniel was pulled out without a single scratch, because he trusted in his God. My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me. Daniel 6:22 What did the jealous officials trick King Darius into decreeing? No one could pray to any god or man except the king for thirty days Everyone had to give away their camels No one could eat bread on Tuesdays All schools were closed No one could pray to any god or man except the king for thirty days Daniel 6:7 describes the cunning decree designed specifically to trap Daniel. What did Daniel do when he learned the decree was signed? He went home, opened his windows, and prayed three times a day as always He stopped praying for thirty days He ran away to another country He asked the king for a bodyguard He went home, opened his windows, and prayed three times a day as always Daniel 6:10 highlights Daniel's unwavering faithfulness in prayer. Why didn't the hungry lions hurt Daniel in the pit? God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths The lions were sleeping because they were full Daniel fought them with a sword The lions thought Daniel was a statue God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths Daniel 6:22 declares that God sent his angel to protect his trusting servant. Never be ashamed to pray before meals at school or to kneel beside your bed at night, remembering Daniel's courageous faithfulness. Living God, you rule over kings and shut the mouths of roaring lions! Thank you for Daniel's bold prayer life. When people mock my faith or pressure me to compromise, give me courage to stand firm. Help me to pray faithfully every single day, trusting in your mighty protection. In Jesus' name, Amen. Why was Daniel willing to risk being eaten by lions rather than stop praying for just thirty days? How can you show quiet courage for God when friends at school pressure you to do something wrong? Explorers learn that uncompromising faithfulness in prayer honors God, who supernaturally protects and vindicates those who trust Him. Show a picture of a roaring lion or play a lion roar audio clip. Ask: "Would you jump into a pit of lions to keep praying?" Then share Daniel's faith! How old was Daniel when he was thrown into the lions' den? Daniel was not a young boy; he was an elderly man in his eighties who had walked faithfully with God for over sixty years! 5 min Hook & Lion Roar, 12 min Narrative, 8 min Memory Verse Tiles, 5 min Quiz