The short summary
What is Prayer of Azariah about?
The Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three expands the furnace story with confession, a plea for mercy, and a hymn of praise. Azariah prays on behalf of his people; an angel protects the three companions from the flames. Together they call on the heavens, earth, living creatures, and God’s people to bless the Lord.
Prayer of Azariah 1:1–22; Prayer of Azariah 1:26–35; Prayer of Azariah 1:60–68.01 / Understand the whole
The book in context
Azariah begins by praising God’s justice and confessing the sins of his people. His prayer recalls the promises to the ancestors and asks God not to abandon the covenant. With ordinary worship unavailable, he offers a humble heart and renewed commitment. Prayer of Azariah 1:2–22.
A short narrative describes the furnace being fed with fuel and an angel descending to protect the companions. The interior becomes like a cool breeze, and the fire does not harm them. Their response is shared praise. Prayer of Azariah 1:23–28.
The hymn opens with blessings addressed to God and widens into a summons to creation. Heavenly bodies, weather, landscapes, animals, and people are called to praise. Near the close, the three companions are named and their deliverance becomes a reason for thanksgiving. Prayer of Azariah 1:29–35; Prayer of Azariah 1:60–68.
02 / Follow the structure
A reading outline
A chapter-level reading guide; some literary movements cross these boundaries. Each link opens the section’s first chapter.
03 / Notice the connections
Major themes
Repentance and mercy
The prayer acknowledges communal wrongdoing while appealing to God’s covenant and compassion. Prayer of Azariah 1:3–14.
A humble offering
In the absence of ordinary sacrifices, the speaker asks that humility and wholehearted trust be accepted. Prayer of Azariah 1:15–22.
Creation joins the praise
The song places the companions’ thanksgiving within a call for the whole created world to bless God. Prayer of Azariah 1:35–50; Prayer of Azariah 1:60–68.
04 / Background
Background at a glance
- Literary form
- Prayer, narrative, and hymn
- Setting in the text
- The fiery furnace in the Daniel story
More about the background
The USCCB notes on Daniel identify the prayer and hymn in Daniel 3:24–90 as additions preserved in Greek rather than in the Aramaic text. The notes also identify Azariah with Abednego. The expanded furnace account belongs to the Catholic form of Daniel. [1]
This page covers both the prayer and the song, using the standalone 68-verse King James Apocrypha text. In the Catholic and Orthodox library views, this material is within Greek Daniel 3. Its standalone verse numbers do not match the embedded chapter numbering.
05 / Return to the text
Passages to explore
Passage links open the King James Version with Apocrypha. These selections offer starting points for exploring the book.
Mercy and a humble heart
How does the prayer connect memory, repentance, and hope?
Prayer of Azariah 1:12–22 MemorizeA community of praise
Who is called to worship, and why do the companions give thanks?
Prayer of Azariah 1:60–68 MemorizeDoes this overview include the Song of the Three?
Yes. The standalone text includes Azariah’s prayer, the account of protection in the furnace, and the song sung by the three companions. The short title used by the site’s reader is Prayer of Azariah; the overview covers all 68 verses. Prayer of Azariah 1:2; Prayer of Azariah 1:26–28; Prayer of Azariah 1:66–68.
Read Prayer of Azariah
Sources and reading notes
The summaries describe the biblical text; passage references let you check them in context. Historical and authorship notes are attributed separately. The outlines and passage selections are editorial reading aids.
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Daniel 3: Prayer and Song in the Furnace. New American Bible chapter and notes; notes on 3:24–90 and 3:25. Catholic reference perspective. Accessed September 11, 2026. ↩
Prepared for BibleVerse · September 11, 2026. An initial editorial edition; independent specialist review is pending. Biblical references use the King James Version with Apocrypha. The illustration is interpretive artwork.