“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. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” Daniel 10: 12-14
In part 1, we discussed the power of persistent prayer but it’s easy to wonder why persistence is even necessary. After all, God knows all things and sees all things so He already knows what we need and definitely heard our prayers the first time.
However, when we look at Daniel who had been praying and fasting for 21 days seeking revelation from the Lord about the visions he had, we see that Daniel did not receive that revelation until the end of the 21 days because there was spiritual warfare taking place. As Daniel continued in prayer and fasting (after Day 1 when God had already answered him), an angel was engaging in spiritual warfare on his behalf.
Some of us are also like Daniel, praying fervently to the Lord for one thing or another but there is an agent of darkness attempting to block our blessings. We must continue to pray and trust God because we know that He will go to war in the spirit realm on our behalf and He has a 100% winning streak. It may take time, but as the scripture says “…those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).
As you continue to pray for whatever you are trusting God for, remember to pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you for what you’re going through and what is ahead.
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for teaching me the power of perseverance. I know you are working even when I can’t see it. Please give me the strength to continue to wait on you. I receive my blessings by faith in Jesus name. Amen.