Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtI recently had lunch with a Christian friend of mine. He had started a new job a year ago, and I had asked him how it was going. He shared that while he enjoys the work and feels it aligns perfectly with his skills and experience, he struggles with something more profound. The company’s vision resonates with him, but the people around him don’t. He finds himself surrounded by individuals who either don’t believe in God or live as though He doesn’t matter. Their values are wildly different from his own, and he feels like an outsider—a light in a dark place.Have you ever felt like that? Like you’re the only one standing firm in your faith while those around you follow paths that lead them further from God? The pressure to conform or simply blend in can be overwhelming. The negativity, fear, and ungodly perspectives of others can begin to creep into your heart and mind, maybe even sparking a temptation. If you’re feeling this way, it’s time to take a stand—and you’re not alone in facing this struggle. The Bible gives us a powerful example to follow.Consider Daniel. Taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar, he was forced to live in a world steeped in paganism. Babylon wasn’t just foreign; it was hostile to everything Daniel believed. Along with a few other young men, he was selected to serve the king. Yet despite the pressure to conform, Daniel held fast to his faith. His commitment to prayer, God’s Word and seeking His wisdom made him stand out. Not everyone appreciated it. His peers were jealous, scheming against him, but Daniel didn’t waver.What was his secret? Prayer. Not panic, not self-reliance—prayer. Daniel consistently sought God, trusting Him to provide wisdom and protection. In every trial, he turned to God in prayer, not out of fear, but with thanksgiving. Even when a law was passed demanding that everyone bow to an idol or face death, Daniel didn’t falter. He went to his room, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and prayed. Not just once, but three times a day, giving thanks to God.Imagine that—giving thanks in the face of a decree designed to destroy him. Daniel knew something we need to remember: God is in control. No law, no threat, no lion’s den could shake his faith. Daniel’s confidence wasn’t in his own strength but in the God who had rescued him time and time again. He lived out Proverbs 14:26 (NKJV): “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.”When Daniel’s enemies threw him into the lion’s den, they thought they’d silenced him for good. But God delivered him. The lions’ mouths were shut, and Daniel’s faith was vindicated. Time and again, Daniel’s life showed that God’s power and grace are more than enough to sustain us, even in the darkest circumstances.What about you? Do you find yourself surrounded by people who don’t share your faith? Do their fears, doubts, or ungodly attitudes weigh you down? If so, take heart. Like Daniel, you can turn to God in prayer, trusting Him to guide you and give you strength.Prayer isn’t just a response to crisis; it’s the foundation of a life lived in God’s presence. Whether you’re facing challenges or enjoying blessings, prayer keeps you anchored in the truth that God is with you. He is your refuge, your deliverer, your hiding place. Psalm 32:6-7 (NIV) reminds us: “Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found... You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”So, let’s follow Daniel’s example. Let’s be people who fall to our knees—literally or in our hearts—bringing everything to God in prayer. Let’s come to Him with thanksgiving, not just for what He’s done, but for who He is. In the place of prayer, we’ll find the grace, wisdom, and strength to stand firm, no matter what surrounds us.God is faithful, even when we falter. Let’s cling to Him, trusting that He will guide us, protect us, and use us to shine His light in a world that so desperately needs it.Proverbs 4:18 (NIV) "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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