⁶ So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever!^{(A) 7} The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors^(B) have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.^{(C) 8} Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”^{(D) 9} So King Darius put the decree in writing.

¹⁰ Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward^(E) Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees^(F) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.^{(G) 11} Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.^{(H) 12} So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”^(I)

¹³ Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,^(J) pays no attention^(K) to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.”

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place^(A)

³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.^{(B) 36} Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”^(C)

¹⁶ But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.^(A)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything,^(A) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.^{(B) 7} And the peace of God,^(C) which transcends all understanding,^(D) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(A) being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(B) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(C) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^{(D) 4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.