Scripture:
(the angel Gabriel speaking to Daniel)
Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.
—Daniel 10:12-13 (NLT)
Observation:
Daniel set his mind to receive something from God, so he started to pray. The day he did this, his prayer was heard, and a charge was given to answer the prayer. The answer to Daniel’s prayer was given immediately, though the fulfillment took 21 days because a demonic entity referred to here as “the prince of Persia” was trying to stop it. What would have happened if Daniel, during the midst of this spiritual battle, decided to stop pressing in? What would have happened if Daniel lost faith and was no longer expecting the fulfillment of his prayer?
God longs to bless His people. God loves to answer the prayers of His people. God is faithful to His word when He said, “Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for–believe that you have received them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24). However, there is an enemy who wants you to lose faith. An enemy who will try to hinder the fulfillment of your prayers; but he cannot stop them from being answered.
Application:
Don’t give up! Understand that spiritual warfare is a real thing. Just because you don’t see the fruition of the thing you’re believing for, it doesn’t mean that God hasn’t answered it already. I’m not talking about any random thought or desire that comes across your imagination – if God has stirred something in you to believe Him for, then press in until the fulfillment comes!
Prayer:
Father God, I ask that when you stir in me to receive something from you, that I would humble myself before you in prayer and petition. I thank you that the moment I pray in faith you answer me, and I thank you for coming against anything that would hinder the fulfillment. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN!