Daniel 2:17-19 (ESV)
Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
The background to the above portion of Daniel falls under Nebuchadnezzar having a dream. It apparently was a disturbing dream and one that he could not understand. Therefore he brought in all the wise man, magicians, and sooth-sayers from the kingdom to tell him the dream and the interpretation. This merry band of men objected to the kings request. They insisted that the king tell them the dream and then they would give an interpretation. The king refused and held them all responsible to know both the dream and the interpretation. They could not and the king threatened to kill them all. This is where the above text comes into play. Daniel injects himself into the story and requests to talk to the king. Daniel promises the king that he will tell him the dream and the interpretation. Yet, Daniel does not know the dram and interpretation. Daniel calls for his three friends (who later, by the same king, will be tossed into the fiery furnace) and they laid the problem before God in prayer (praying to their God that would later get Daniel tossed in the lions den). God reveals to them both the dream and the interpretation. Daniel and the three go to God in prayer to ask for wisdom and understanding. God gives it to them.
James 1:5 (ESV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
As James states, coming to God in prayer to ask for understanding and wisdom is an act of faith based upon the faithfulness, goodness and steadfast love of God.
Psalms 100:5 (ESV)
For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
We are to come to God in prayer based upon His character and not our own. The power of collective prayer is unmatched in the world.
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