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Episode 8 | Daniel 8, 10 | Dave Miles | 01/11/26 Dave explains why Daniel 8 follows the hopeful vision of Daniel 7 by giving another apocalyptic vision: a two-horned ram (Medo-Persia) charging unchecked, then a swift goat with a great horn (Greece under Alexander the Great) that shatters the ram, whose horn breaks and becomes four horns (the divided Greek empire), from which a “little horn” arises to attack “the beautiful land,” stop sacrifices, and desecrate the sanctuary. Gabriel interprets this as fulfilled in Antiochus IV, who oppressed Jews and defiled the temple, yet would be destroyed “not by human power.” Dave connects this recurring arrogant, anti-God rulership to the “man of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians), Rome in Revelation, and a spiritual conflict behind political empires (Daniel 10; Revelation 12–13), with Satan empowering beastly regimes. The sermon concludes that God sets limits, Christ has decisively triumphed through the cross, believers overcome by the Lamb, and though Daniel is overwhelmed, God’s foreknowledge sustains hope amid ongoing persecution.

Episode 7 | Daniel 7 | Dave Miles | 25/10/26 What happens when people dont escape harm? When the fire does consume them and the lions do destroy? Dave grapples with an answer to the hope and security we have as displayed in Daniel 7. Into the second half of Daniel, Dave kicked off the apocalyptic visions with a look at the four beasts and the Ancient of Days.

Episode 6 | Daniel 6 | Chris McEwan | 18/10/26 Chris introduces the theme of being unfairly set up for trouble and connects it to Daniel 6, first reviewing the regime change from Babylon to the Medo-Persian empire under Darius and noting Daniel is now an old man. With congregational participation, costumes, and sound effects, the story is told: jealous administrators and satraps trick King Darius into a 30-day decree banning prayer to anyone but the king, then catch Daniel praying openly toward Jerusalem. Though Darius tries to save him, Daniel is thrown into the lions’ den; God sends an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, and Daniel is unharmed. The conspirators are punished, and Darius issues a decree to fear and honor Daniel’s God, emphasizng that God saves his people through trials and that regardless of who rules, God is still reigning.

Episode 5 | Daniel 5 | Liam Denny | 11/10/26 This sermon explores Daniel 5, contrasting King Belshazzar's unrepentant, defiant pride with King Nebuchadnezzar's earlier humbling and repentance in Daniel 4. By examining the famous "writing on the wall" incident during a sacrilegious royal feast, the message highlights the absolute inevitability of God's judgment on pride, the ultimate sovereignty of God over human empires, and the comfort believers can take in knowing that God's eternal kingdom alone endures.

Episode 4 | Daniel 4 | Toby Dedden | 04/10/26 Pride is the state of interpreting reality as though you are the centre of it; it blinds you from seeing other people and God clearly. This was true in the case of Nebuchadnezzar.  This chapter is sandwiched between a change of heart in Nebuchadnezzar. How did this take place? How do stubborn hearts change? Well it starts with realising pride and then surrendering to the only one who is able to humble those who walk in pride. This leads to changed way of seeing the world, living and worshiping.

Episode 3 | Daniel 3 | Toby Dedden | 26/09/26 This talk traces the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego living faithfully even in the face of terrible circumstances: forced idolatry and a threat of suffering. We see their trust in God and their steadfastness to stray from the way. But we also see God’s faithfulness to them, and ‘one like a son of the gods’ step into the furnace - just like Jesus has for us.

Episode 2 | Daniel 2 | Daniel Jackson | 20/09/26 Daniel continues the series of being faithful in the night. He reminds us of the context of Daniel chapter 2 before looking at the events surrounding a sleepless king in Babylon. Throughout Daniel emphasises that God is with his people and is the revealer of mysteries. This mystery is linked with the mystery of Jesus Christ and the inclusion of the Gentiles in this ever growing kingdom. We are reminded as God's people to continue to share this mystery with those around us, to pray to the God who lives with us, to trust him and be faithful to him.

Episode 1 | Daniel 1 | Toby Dedden | 13/09/26 Toby introduces a nine-week series, “Faithful in the Night,” on the Book of Daniel, connecting it to the yearly theme of belonging to the day . He outlines Daniel’s structure: chapters 1–6 narrative and 7–12 apocalyptic, with chapter 1 as introduction and chapter 7 as a bridge. Using the “behind the curtain” idea (illustrated by Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet), he frames Daniel as revealing not only human faith in exile but God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, highlighted by the repeated phrase “God gave” (1:2, 9, 17). Toby explains Babylon historically and as an archetype of the city of man, then shows Babylon’s assimilation tactics (education, food, renaming) and Daniel’s resolve not to defile himself, preserving identity and allegiance to God. He concludes that faithfulness means recognising two kingdoms, trusting God’s power, and choosing to live as God’s people in exile until the promised restoration.

Day 6 of Soma Blue Mountains prayer week 2026. Reading of Daniel 6, a short thought and a prayer.

Day 5 of Soma Blue Mountains prayer week 2026. Reading of Daniel 5, a short thought and a prayer.

Day 4 of Soma Blue Mountains prayer week 2026. Reading of Daniel 4, a short thought and a prayer.

Day 3 of Soma Blue Mountains prayer week 2026. Reading of Daniel 3, a short thought and a prayer.

Day 2 of Soma Blue Mountains prayer week 2026. Reading of Daniel 2, a short thought and a prayer.

Day 1 of Soma Blue Mountains prayer week 2026. Reading of Daniel 1, a short thought and a prayer.

Episode 6 | Luke 11:1-4 | Toby Dedden | 06/09/26 A culture of self-sufficiency wrongly teaches us that we have everything we need by ourselves, and ultimately bends us inward. Drawing on how Jesus teaches the disciples to pray in Luke 11, we see the effect of starting prayer with 'Father' and 'hallowed be your name' - it leads us deeper in trust by acknowledging God's goodness and greatness. Prayer also leads us deeper in dependence as we pray big and small prayers, just like the Lord's prayer. The ‘rhythm’ of prayer takes place personal spaces and communal spaces, and in our church's annual week of prayer.