Prayer.
It’s our direct line to God.
Sometimes, however, I feel like my prayers just hit the ceiling and go no further. My pleas seem to be tossed about in the storm of doubt and despair. There are times when I wonder if God really does hear my prayers.
I ask. I beg. I plead. Yet so many times I hear nothing but painful silence. Have you experienced this?
Let me share a story about Daniel. Cyrus was the king of Persia. During this time, Daniel had seen a vision about a great war. He mourned because of this horrific revelation. For 3 weeks, he fasted and prayed. He chose not to eat any choice food or drink. On the 21st day of his fast, something strange happened:
“I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude” (Daniel 10:5-6).
An angel of the Lord had appeared to Daniel. The young prophet trembled and shook at the sight of this heavenly being. What is more amazing is what the angel said:
“Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them” (Daniel 10:12).
Did you catch that? “Since the first day . . .” Daniel’s words were heard by God on the first day he started praying and seeking God, yet there was no response for 21 days. Why? Read the next verse:
“But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia” (v. 13).
There was a war going on–a spiritual war. Heavenly forces were fighting to answer Daniel’s prayer. It wasn’t that God took three weeks to answer. God heard him on the very first day, but the supernatural struggle in the unseen world was holding back Daniel’s answer to prayer.
When you pray, remember the following:
1. When prayed with humility, your prayers are heard the first day you pray them.
2. Spiritual resistance is real.
We are in a heavenly battle. The enemy wants us crippled by anxiety and fear. Let me encourage you to “set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before God”. Then, be patient and steadfast in prayer, and your answer will be sent from heaven to earth.
Prayer: Father, thank you that you hear my prayers. Remind me to pray continually, never losing heart, patiently awaiting your perfect answer in your perfect time.
