The Importance of Routines

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Routines are often described as a set of customary and often mechanically performed procedures or activities; A habit practiced long enough eventually becomes a routine for us; something we do regularly, many times without even thinking about it. It comes naturally – no matter where we are, who we are with, or even what circumstances we face.

Daniel developed a habit of going to his room, kneeling by the window looking at Jerusalem, and praying. He did this three times a day. Because of this routine, he was blessed by God, and the King and his co-workers were jealous of the special treatment he received. The co-workers looked for a way to get him in trouble. But they could not find anything that he was doing wrong. So, they decided to use his routine against him and asked the king to make an order that no one could pray to anybody but the king. Daniel’s routine was so ingrained in his daily activities, that I doubt he stopped to think what he was doing when he went to his room to pray that day.

I wonder what he was praying about that day. Was he praying for himself – strength to do what was right even in the face of danger? Was he praying for those who intended evil against him? Praying that they would see the error of their way and turn to the true God. Was he thanking God for his past blessings? Was he praying that the king would see through the schemes of these evil men? Was he asking God why this had to happen to him? After all, he was trying to do what was right. He was a good person, so why was God not punishing him?

You see, it really doesn’t matter what he was praying about. What matters is his routine of regularly coming into God’s presence. Even when his co-workers wanted to harm him, he did not stop going to his room and praying. He did not allow the evil wishes of his coworkers to stop him from seeking God. He continued his daily routine.

What about you? Is Bible Study and prayer time a part of your daily routine? Do you regularly withdraw from the busyness of your day to spend time with the heavenly Father? If so, then like Daniel, you will be protected from the evil around us and those that are determined to hurt us. Will you be a Daniel?

In His Service,

Leah