|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12, ESV).
Seventy years had passed since the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. Daniel knew this from reading the prophet Jeremiah, so he began praying for the Israelites’ return to Jerusalem (Daniel 9:1-3).
A “master class” on spiritual warfare unfolds in the next few chapters of Daniel. With Daniel’s purity of devotion and prophetic standing, we could think that when he prayed, God immediately answered. Not the situation here…
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes (Daniel 9:3).
And…
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks (Daniel 10:2-3).
Then…
And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” … “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words (Daniel 10:10-12).
Whenever I read these passages in the Book of Daniel, I think, “We live in a similar crux of history today (Jews returning to Israel), but are we praying like Daniel?” I also think, “Why did it take the angel three weeks to get to Daniel with the answer?”
Our master class on end-times praying continues as we read the answer to Daniel’s prayers…
The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia (Daniel 10:13).
We must learn to pray like Daniel. Persia in Daniel’s time had almost the same borders as Iran today. The prince of Persia exists and not only persecutes believers in Iran but also hates the nation of Israel. Whatever happens — victory or defeat — the physical wars in the Middle East must first be fought in the spiritual realm.
While praying, let’s have confidence in God’s victory concerning Israel, the church, and those who love Jesus, as Daniel prophesies…
At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book (Daniel 12:1).
Our prayers meaningfully change history. Amen!