Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there was a man named Daniel. Daniel loved God very much and prayed to Him every day. He was very wise and helped the king with many important things.
But some men did not like Daniel. They wanted to find a reason to get him into trouble. So, they tricked the king into making a new rule. The rule said, “No one can pray to any god or man except the king for thirty days!” Oh no! Daniel knew this was wrong because he wanted to keep praying to God.
Even though Daniel knew the rule was dangerous, he did not stop praying. Every day, he opened his window and knelt down to pray three times, just like he always did. The men saw Daniel praying and told the king. The king was sad because he liked Daniel, but he had to follow the rule.
The king said, “Daniel, I must put you in the lions’ den because of the law.” Daniel was scared, but he trusted God. The big lions looked very strong and hungry. The lions’ den was dark and cold, and it smelled like the wild.
That night, Daniel was alone with the lions. But guess what? God sent an angel! The angel closed the lions’ mouths so they could not hurt Daniel. Daniel was safe and could sleep peacefully. He trusted God like a little boat trusts the big, calm sea.
Early the next morning, the king ran to the lions’ den. He called out, “Daniel, are you okay?” Daniel answered, “God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths. I am safe!” The king was so happy and said, “Daniel, your God is the true God!”
The king made a new rule that everyone should respect Daniel’s God. Daniel was very thankful and kept praying to God every day. The lions’ den became a place where God showed His great power and love.
Isn’t it wonderful how God protects us when we trust Him? Even when things seem scary, God is always near, like a warm light in the dark. Daniel’s story helps us remember to pray and trust God no matter what.
Questions to think about
- Why did Daniel keep praying even when it was against the law?
- How do you think Daniel felt in the lions’ den?
- What did God do to protect Daniel?
- What did the king learn about Daniel’s God?
- How can we trust God when we are scared?
Message of the story
God is always with us and protects us when we trust Him, even in the scariest times.
Bible passage
Daniel 6
Daniel 6 (ICB translation)
1 King Darius decided to put 120 satraps over the whole kingdom. These satraps were rulers. He also put three men in charge of the satraps. One of these men was Daniel.
2 Daniel was very good at his work. The king planned to make him the highest ruler in the kingdom.
3 The other men tried to find something wrong with Daniel. But they could not find anything wrong with him. He was honest and faithful.
4 These men said, “We cannot find anything wrong with Daniel unless it is about the law of his God.”
5 So, the men went to the king and said, “King Darius, live forever! The king should make a rule that everyone should pray only to you for thirty days. Anyone who prays to any other god or man should be thrown into the lions’ den.”
6 King Darius made the rule.
7 When Daniel heard about the rule, he went to his house. He opened his windows and prayed to God three times every day. He thanked God just as he did before.
8 The men saw Daniel praying. They
