Single lesson
The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace
Daniel (Greek) 3:24–45; Daniel (Greek) 3:51–90
This Greek addition to Daniel keeps attention on words spoken in the furnace: Azarias’ prayer of confession and mercy, followed by a shared song that calls every part of creation to bless the Lord.
Before you teach
The passage begins by saying they walked in the fire praising God. Azarias then prays from the midst of the fire, and later the three speak together with one voice. This Greek source preserves a prayer and hymn within the furnace account, ending with thanks for God’s mercy and rescue.
Explain the central teaching of The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace, using two details from the reading. This passage shows prayer in distress joining honest confession, humble trust, and wide praise to the Lord.
Welcome: The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace
5 minIntroduce “The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace” and locate Daniel (Greek) 3:24–45; Daniel (Greek) 3:51–90. This passage shows prayer in distress joining honest confession, humble trust, and wide praise to the Lord. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Daniel (Greek) 3:24, Daniel (Greek) 3:60, Daniel (Greek) 3:90
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe passage opens with praise in the middle of the fire, then Azarias begins to pray. He blesses the Lord, the God of their fathers, and says God’s name is worthy of praise and glory for ever. The first focus is God himself.
After speaking of shame and reproach, Azarias asks God not to utterly give them up, appealing to God’s name, covenant, and mercy. He says there is no prince, prophet, sacrifice, or place to offer, so he asks that a contrite heart and humble spirit be accepted.
Then the three praise God with one mouth. The song blesses God’s name, temple, throne, and heaven, then calls on the heavens, earth, waters, creatures, people, Israel, priests, servants, and the humble to bless the Lord. It closes with thanks for mercy and a brief word of rescue.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Daniel (Greek) 3:24, Daniel (Greek) 3:25, Daniel (Greek) 3:26, Daniel (Greek) 3:33, Daniel (Greek) 3:34, Daniel (Greek) 3:35, Daniel (Greek) 3:38, Daniel (Greek) 3:39, Daniel (Greek) 3:40, Daniel (Greek) 3:51, Daniel (Greek) 3:52, Daniel (Greek) 3:54, Daniel (Greek) 3:56, Daniel (Greek) 3:58, Daniel (Greek) 3:74, Daniel (Greek) 3:82, Daniel (Greek) 3:83, Daniel (Greek) 3:87, Daniel (Greek) 3:88, Daniel (Greek) 3:89, Daniel (Greek) 3:90
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What words does Azarias use to describe God’s works, ways, and judgments?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage shows prayer in distress joining honest confession, humble trust, and wide praise to the Lord. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Daniel (Greek) 3:26, Daniel (Greek) 3:27, Daniel (Greek) 3:31, Daniel (Greek) 3:38, Daniel (Greek) 3:39, Daniel (Greek) 3:40, Daniel (Greek) 3:58, Daniel (Greek) 3:74, Daniel (Greek) 3:82, Daniel (Greek) 3:83, Daniel (Greek) 3:90
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
12 minWork on “The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Daniel (Greek) 3:24, Daniel (Greek) 3:60, Daniel (Greek) 3:90
Closing: return to The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace
3 minRevisit Daniel (Greek) 3:24–45; Daniel (Greek) 3:51–90. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Daniel (Greek) 3:24, Daniel (Greek) 3:60, Daniel (Greek) 3:90
Questions to explore
What words does Azarias use to describe God’s works, ways, and judgments?
List the exact terms used where he says God is righteous and his works, ways, and judgments are true and right.
Daniel (Greek) 3:26, Daniel (Greek) 3:27, Daniel (Greek) 3:31
What does Azarias ask God to accept when offerings and a place to offer are missing?
Look at the verses that mention what is absent, then notice the inward response he asks God to receive.
Daniel (Greek) 3:38, Daniel (Greek) 3:39, Daniel (Greek) 3:40
How does the song expand the circle of praise?
Trace the call to bless the Lord from heaven and the earth to creatures, people, Israel, and all who worship the Lord.
Daniel (Greek) 3:58, Daniel (Greek) 3:74, Daniel (Greek) 3:82, Daniel (Greek) 3:83, Daniel (Greek) 3:90
Make, think or respond
The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Daniel (Greek) 3:24–45; Daniel (Greek) 3:51–90. Use “The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “The Prayer and Song in the Fiery Furnace” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Daniel (Greek) 3:24–45; Daniel (Greek) 3:51–90. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Daniel (Greek) 3:24–45; Daniel (Greek) 3:51–90. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Daniel (Greek) 3
24 They walked in the midst of the fire, praising God, and blessing the Lord.
25 Then Azarias stood, and prayed like this. Opening his mouth in the midst of the fire he said,
26 “Blessed are you, O Lord, you God of our fathers! Your name is worthy to be praised and glorified for evermore;
27 for you are righteous in all the things that you have done. Yes, all your works are true. Your ways are right, and all your judgments are truth.
28 In all the things that you have brought upon us, and upon the holy city of our fathers, Jerusalem, you have executed true judgments. For according to truth and justice you have brought all these things upon us because of our sins.
29 For we have sinned and committed iniquity in departing from you.
30 In all things we have trespassed, and not obeyed your commandments or kept them. We haven’t done as you have commanded us, that it might go well with us.
31 Therefore all that you have brought upon us, and everything that you have done to us, you have done in true judgment.
32 You delivered us into the hands of lawless enemies, most hateful rebels, and to an unjust king who is the most wicked in all the world.
33 And now we can’t open our mouth. Shame and reproach have come on your servants and those who worship you.
34 Don’t utterly deliver us up, for your name’s sake. Don’t annul your covenant.
35 Don’t cause your mercy to depart from us, for the sake of Abraham who is loved by you, and for the sake of Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,
36 to whom you promised that you would multiply their offspring as the stars of the sky, and as the sand that is on the sea shore.
37 For we, O Lord, have become less than any nation, and are brought low this day in all the world because of our sins.
38 There isn’t at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place to offer before you, and to find mercy.
39 Nevertheless in a contrite heart and a humble spirit let us be accepted,
40 like the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like ten thousands of fat lambs. So let our sacrifice be in your sight this day, that we may wholly go after you, for they shall not be ashamed who put their trust in you.
41 And now we follow you with all our heart. We fear you, and seek your face.
42 Put us not to shame; but deal with us after your kindness, and according to the multitude of your mercy.
43 Deliver us also according to your marvelous works, and give glory to your name, O Lord. Let all those who harm your servants be confounded.
44 Let them be ashamed of all their power and might, and let their strength be broken.
45 Let them know that you are the Lord, the only God, and glorious over the whole world.”
51 Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, glorified, and blessed God in the furnace, saying,
52 “Blessed are you, O Lord, you God of our fathers, to be praised and exalted above all forever!
53 Blessed is your glorious and holy name, to be praised and exalted above all forever!
54 Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, to be praised and glorified above all forever!
55 Blessed are you who see the depths and sit upon the cherubim, to be praised and exalted above all forever.
56 Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, to be praised and extolled above all forever!
57 Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, to be praised and glorified forever!
58 O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
59 O you heavens, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all for ever!
60 O you angels of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
61 O all you waters that are above the sky, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
62 O all you powers of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
63 O you sun and moon, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
64 O you stars of heaven, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
65 O every shower and dew, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
66 O all you winds, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
67 O you fire and heat, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
68 O you dews and storms of snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
69 O you nights and days, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
70 O you light and darkness, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
71 O you cold and heat, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
72 O you frost and snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
73 O you lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
74 O let the earth bless the Lord! Let it praise and exalt him above all forever!
75 O you mountains and hills, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
76 O all you things that grow on the earth, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
77 O sea and rivers, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
78 O you springs, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
79 O you whales and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
80 O all you birds of the air, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
81 O all you beasts and cattle, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
82 O you children of men, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
83 O let Israel bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever.
84 O you priests of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
85 O you servants of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
86 O you spirits and souls of the righteous, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
87 O you who are holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
88 O Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever; for he has rescued us from Hades, and saved us from the hand of death! He has delivered us out of the midst of the furnace and burning flame. He has delivered us out of the midst of the fire.
89 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy is forever.
90 O all you who worship the Lord, bless the God of gods, praise him, and give him thanks; for his mercy is forever!” Deliverance from the Furnace
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.