Prayer of Azariah & Song of Three

Remember the famous story from Daniel chapter 3-Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace? In the Hebrew version, they get thrown in and then walk out unharmed. But the Greek version adds something beautiful in between: their prayers from inside the flames.

First comes Azariah's prayer-that's Abednego's Hebrew name. You might expect him to pray for rescue, but instead he prays a confession on behalf of all Israel. "We deserve this," he essentially says. "We broke the covenant, we rejected the prophets." Only after confessing does he ask for deliverance-not because they deserve it, but for God's glory and for the sake of His promises to Abraham.

Then comes the Song of the Three. This is pure praise-a hymn calling on all creation to bless the Lord. Angels, sun and moon, rain and fire, mountains and seas, birds and beasts, all the way down to specific leaders and the humble and holy of heart. It's been used in Christian worship for centuries, known as the "Benedicite." While flames roar around them, these young men lead the universe in praise. That's the power of worship-it doesn't wait for circumstances to improve.