Discover His heart: He hears and answers our prayers
“O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary. O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.” (9:17-18) Daniel’s fervent prayer for his people and for his city of Jerusalem arrests me as I read it and reminds me of the need for continual prayer for my city, for my nation. Because of Israel’s gross sins, Daniel didn’t ask for undeserved help for His people – he asked for God’s mercy. I, too, cry for mercy. Lord, don’t give us what we deserve.
@ Daniel 10
Most of us have experienced times when we pray desperately for a need, but the answer doesn’t come. Sometimes we feel disconnected from God because of unforgiveness or sin in our lives that seems to block the flow of communication with Him. Other times our answers are delayed because of God’s testing; and in these moments, our faith is stretched as we grow to trust Him more. We even have been known to pray amiss, and God cannot answer our prayer. We learn that Daniel experienced a delay in his answered prayer for yet another reason.
The heavenly visitor said to Daniel, “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…Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” (12-14) Twenty-one days…interesting to note that Daniel had been fasting for twenty-one days.
We know Daniel was a man who completely trusted God and whose prayer life was remarkable. Once again he proved his faithfulness to God by steadfast prayer and fasting until the answer came. Little did he know that the answer came immediately but was hindered by the enemy; and likewise, we don’t know when the answers to our prayers have been hindered by the enemy. I am encouraged by our reading today to dare to be a Daniel and pray through the hindrances until the answer comes!
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10) The good news is that we are not fighting alone. Like Daniel, we have the heavenly hosts in our army fighting in the heavenlies on our behalf.
When we experience a delay in answers to our prayers, we’re challenged to examine our hearts to know we are free from unforgiveness. We are challenged to pray according to God’s will and pray that He will remove our desire for anything that is not His will. Then, whether the delay is a testing or a hindrance, we can pray with tenacity for the answer. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16) The answer’s on the way!
Moving Forward: Encouraged by Daniel’s prayer of mercy for his people, I will pray in earnest for my nation and God’s mercy for us. And for the many challenges I face today, I’ll pray according to His will until the answers come – they’re on the way!
Tomorrow @ John 5-6
Phyllis Benigas 