In today’s culture we are used to instant everything, and that is what we have come to expect in our prayers. The last couple days, I have been discussing Daniel and his 3-week prayer vigil. It took him 3 weeks to see his prayer answered. What if he had prayed only one week or two or just 20 days? What if he had taken time off to bathe or eat?
The impact of his prayer vigil must be seen in “the rest of the story”. Daniel’s answer left the throne of God instantly from the time Daniel made the decision in his heart to start praying, before even he started praying. What took so long for the answer to get to Daniel? The pony express took only 21 ½ days round trip from Missouri to California.
Daniel's answer came in the form of an angel. Was this just a slow angel? NOT!! No such thing! He was detained in a struggle with Satanic forces and was able to break free after the archangel, Michel, came to his aid. This revelation serves to teach us about our prayers. Satan is real. His demons are real. We are in a spiritual battle. How many people consider this when they pray? When we pray, we are not trying to convince God to answer our prayers; even though we often act like it. How many times have we quit praying assuming that God’s answer is “NO”?
Consider Daniel 10: 2-14
In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. 4And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 5Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 7And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. 8Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
10And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 11And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
Know that Satan is actively interfering with your prayers!
James 4: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Matthew 12: 28 – 29
28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
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