Prayer Starter - Saturday, August 9, 2025 One more lesson from Daniel - God Hears Us!
In Daniel chapter 10, we get a sense of the spiritual battle and the part prayer plays in the battle! “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers” (Daniel 10:12). The angel told Daniel that his prayers were heard from the very first day he began praying! Let’s look at how long Daniel had praying with humility. “In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. I didn’t eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn’t put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over” (Daniel 10:2-3). Daniel not only prayed, but also fasted for three full weeks. His prayers were heard from the first day, but his answer was delayed. “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days…” (Daniel 10:13). In this instance, God had sent an angel with an answer, but he was detained in battle. That's spiritual warfare!
We can apply several principles from Daniel’s answered prayer to ourselves. A prayer warrior acknowledges that God hears every single prayer. Daniel’s prayer was heard by God, and so is ours. “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29). God encourages us to call Him: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know” (Jer. 33:3).
Along with prayer, Daniel fasted. Fasting allows you to humble yourself before the Lord. “The secret to fasting is not giving up food, but spending time in the presence of God.”
“You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek” (Psalm 27:8, ESV). Do you get this? Fasting has to do with the heart! You are giving something up, to seek something you want more; intimacy with the Lord. Jesus fasted (Matthew 4:2), as did the New Testament church (Acts 13:2). A prayer warrior will sacrifice things of this world to seek the presence of God.
Like Daniel, we don’t always receive an answer right away. Daniel’s answer took three weeks; maybe you have been waiting much longer than that! I have waited years for prayers to be answered! Hear me as I say, that waiting on a prayer to be answered doesn’t mean we are unworthy to pray or are unrighteous! God’s timing is not our timing, but He does know best. Daniel was treasured by God (v. 10), and so are we! Daniel was persistent, but he was humble and his motive was to understand. A prayer warrior prays with a humble attitude and a pure motive.
God answered Daniel in a real and mighty way; He can do the same for you! A prayer warrior prays consistently in hope, knowing, all things are possible with God.
There was a spiritual battle going on in Daniel’s time, and it has not stopped! A prayer warrior recognizes that we are in a spiritual battle. The battle delayed the answer to Daniel’s prayer, and may delay ours. That is all the more reason for us to stand firm! Remember that prayer is part of your spiritual armor; “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request…” (Eph. 6:18). The battle is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens (Eph. 6:12).
Holy Father, Commander of all Worlds, and Lord of lords -
We lift up Your name today because You are the God that cares for us, loves us, protects and provide for us. You deliever us from evil and you discipline us when we are out of line. Lord, help us to stand firm! Help us to realize that the battle is Yours and You are fighting it for us. Our time is not Your time. It frustrates me, but I trust You.
Help me to understand that I can pray in hope, knowing all things are possible with You.
In the Name of my savior, Jesus,
Amen
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