by Tim Hall

The crowds that follow Tiger Woods around the golf course are enormous. Television cameras are everywhere when Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers come to town. Fathers and sons come to the ball park early to see Alex Rodriguez take batting practice. In the minds of those who watch such superstar athletes is this question: "How do they do it?" What enables this performer to hit the ball so far, to putt so accurately, to hit free throw after free throw?

My own layman's opinion is that there must be a certain degree of inborn ability. That's pretty obvious in basketball, for example. If you're less than six feet tall, it's going to be nearly impossible to make the pros. But it takes more than genetic luck of the draw. The main ingredient behind all of these sports elites is practice. Those who spend hours in the gym or on the playing field preparing themselves for the competition are the ones who excel. Take away the practice, and a person is rarely going to make a name for himself.

Spiritually the principle is the same. Most of us would consider Daniel a superstar. What courage he displayed when King Darius signed the order prohibiting prayer to anyone other than himself! Instead of obeying a sinful command, Daniel put his trust in God. He chose a night with the lions instead of a month away from God.

What enabled Daniel to take such a courageous stand? The answer is found in Daniel 6:10: "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days" (NKJV).

"As was his custom": That explains Daniel's superstar performance that day. Had it not been for the many hours of practicing his faith toward God, he surely would have failed this test.

Jesus also demonstrated the principle. As the time of His arrest and persecution drew near, Jesus was fully aware of what lay ahead. But in spite of His foreknowledge of what He was about to face, He kept moving forward with no hint of retreat. What gave Jesus such courage in the face of trial?

The answer is in Luke 22:39: "And coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him." Luke went on to record that Jesus prayed, the activity to which He was accustomed. Many other statements in the other gospels attest that prayer was a daily habit with Jesus. Without that, could He have stood the test?

Many of us avow that we want to be bold and courageous for the Lord. But are we willing to make spirituality our daily custom? Can we turn away from the distractions of life to be nourished by the Father above? Why do we expect to be strong in the trying moments when we fail to look to God in the mundane moments?

We should meditate longer on that phrase in Luke 22:39: ". . . and His disciples also followed Him." To be strong like Daniel and Jesus, we'll have to spend hours practicing our faith like Daniel and Jesus.