"Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before the Lord, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come to answer your prayer."
Daniel 10:12
Daniel 10:12
Today's reading gave great insights to two questions concerning prayer that baffles most believers.
- What kind of prayer does God incline His ear to hear?
- What takes so long to get and answer to our prayer?
Insight to the first question is tucked tightly in our key verse. Daniel was complimented by the angel for his style of prayer. When Daniel prayed before the Lord, he prayed for understanding from a position of humility. I believe the position was both physical and spiritual. Remember the position the officials found him in when they came to throw him in the lion's den. Basically the angel was saying to Daniel, "Because you prayed in this way, your prayer was heard in heaven." Wow! This is good information to know.
If we combine an attitude of humility and a desire for understanding with our "Oh Lord" prayer from Tuesday's post I believe we can move mountains with our prayers. They will be heard in heaven. We know they will be heard but what we don't know is why they aren't answered when we want them to be answered-our second question.
But for twenty-days the spirit prince of the Persia blocked my way.
Daniel 10:13
Daniel 10:13
These words helped my understanding of delayed answered prayer a great deal. There is a lot going on that I don't see. There is a spirit world full of activity. Good spirits armed to defend us, working on our behalf and evil spirits armed to destroy us, working to block the good the Lord wants to do for us.
Daniel's prayer was heard in heaven the day it was prayed but the execution of the answer was blocked by the evil spirit. The angel had been battling for 21 days and the battle wasn't over. But God's showed tenderness to His precious Daniel and sent another angel to battle so this angel could go execute the answer to Daniel's prayer.
Delayed answers to our prayers can not always be interpreted as a "no." As I said earlier, there is a lot going on that we can't see. Let's put into practice Daniel's model for prayer: Oh Lord...prayed with a physical and spiritual position of humility, asking for understanding, and let God do the rest.
OK here's a challenge: I am going to commit to try this model for one month and watch God work. Anyone with me?
Delayed answers to our prayers can not always be interpreted as a "no." As I said earlier, there is a lot going on that we can't see. Let's put into practice Daniel's model for prayer: Oh Lord...prayed with a physical and spiritual position of humility, asking for understanding, and let God do the rest.
OK here's a challenge: I am going to commit to try this model for one month and watch God work. Anyone with me?
17 Comments:
I'm with ya sister! Got some BIG prayers on my plate right now and the only way I know to offer them to God is in a position of "humility with a will wait on His guidance and direction heart."
Praying on my face with ya, and always listening for His voice!
I'm with you Wendy - as Beth Moore says, taking our places on our faces.
This verse has always been one of my favourites because of the encouragement it gives. Twice recently in our reading we've had similar thoughts appear. “The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God.” Daniel 9:23 God heard immediately, but there was time between our cry and God's completion. As you said, delay is not denial.
Today my thoughts went to Daniel 11:27, “But it will make no difference, for the end will come at the appointed time.”
The end will come at the appointed time. A reminder that my times are in His hands. Whether it’s the appointed time for the end of life, end of a trial or end of the day, it comes at the exact moment that God has already ordained. My fear and worry of what may be ahead makes no difference to my dying, but greatly affects my living.
Father, help me trust You with everything You have already appointed to be part of my life,
Joy
Wendy, I'm with you! My thoughts the past couple of days keep going back to Daniel, receiving the news, and knowing that he was headed for the lion's den,--- he "went home in his usual way," and prepared like he always did to pray. This shows me his faith was so very strong. He was the insignificant one here, he showed how he submitted to God. He surrendered his situation over to God. He was humble.
We see in today's reading that there is a constant warfare taking place in our unseen world. Oh, if we would lean not on our own understanding, but really see the power of prayer and how much the hand of God is moved as we pray. I believe if we truly understand what spiritual warfare is, we would understand why God's Word says for us to "pray without ceasing." I Thes 5:17. And, when we're not praying, we should be praising and thanking Him! [This keeps the enemy away!] Daily, we should never take for granted what He did on the cross for us.
The LORD will hear when we call to him. Ps 4:3
A devotion I read earlier this week by, Our Daily Bread, pointed out that the effectiveness of our prayers depends on whether we have faith. Do we trust God's power? Unanswered prayers may be God, lovingly overruling our wishes. He knows what we have asked for is not best. Maybe that our timing is not His timing. Or, He has some far greater purpose in mind. Even Jesus prayed to His Father, "Nevertheless not My will, but Yours (Luke 22:42)
We trust God to do His work, in His way. D.De Haan states:
Unanswered prayers are answered still
As part of God's great master plan;
They help to carry out His will
To demonstrate God's love for man.
God's answers are wiser than our prayers.
On a different note, "But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued." Thank you, LORD! Daniel 12:1
Oh LORD, You are my God. You can do anything. Nothing is impossible with You. (Luke 1:37) Thank you, that I am who You say I am. Your Word is alive and active in me. Today, I want my faith and belief in You to be stronger than it was yesterday. Even as insignificant as I am, You still listen to me. Always. You never leave me. Thank you for knowing the whole picture and always doing what is best for me. I feel peace knowing You've got a master plan. Lord, I trust You. Thank you that my name is written in your book of life. Thank you for your Word, and for letting me understand the scriptures. Thank you for bringing Wendy to us. I love You with all of my heart. Amen.
Love you sisters! Hugs, Lori - AZ
Wendy - lately I have been feeling a "disconnect." I keep praying, but it's like I'm missing something. I think this will be good!
I just have to pop right back in here,--if that is possible for me! I was thinking about your post Wendy, and just how humble we need to be. And, then - if you can even believe it, i was actually thinking how I am a pretty humble person! Oh my gosh, the conceit! Then, about as quickly as those thoughts came to my mind, HE brought Col. 3:12 to my mind. Humility is not something we have until we humble ourselves. How are we to clothe ourselves? Col. 3:12- compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Patience. Well, there it is plain as day! I forced myself to look the word up for further understanding. "calmness, persistent courage in trying circumstance. Bearing of pain, misfortune, annoyance, or delay.
Let's just say, I'm not there! Not even close. But, God is so merciful. He still answers my prayers! He still listens to me. Oh, how i seek to clothe myself the way He desires!
Susan, how are you?
Jodie, I'm hoping your hands are not on the keyboard because they are busy holding Thumper! Anticipating and trying to be patient here! :)
Lori - AZ
Hey sister,
I have missed you all so much this past month but I think I rejoined at the perfect time! Reading all your posts this morning and Wendy your posts from the past few days have blessed me so much! I am going to print all this stuff off and put it in my journal.
We are still working on the devotional book with my church and are going to be doing it again for another month, but instead of reading fiction at night God has placed on my heart to pick the Chronological Bible back up and read it instead. I am caught up to today and each night am going to read the next days reading so I can comment with you sisters.
God has been challenging me through Beth Moore's "Believing God" to pray aloud more. I have always been very intimidated by doing that. I think me rejoining you ladies and committing to this prayer as well just confirms even more the work He is wanting to do in me.
Hugs and Blessings,
Brandee
PS Over the past month while I was away I FINALLY have found out why I have been sick for years!!! I am praising God for answers! Like our reading says, delayed no's may not be no's, there is always a reason. Thank you for the prayers you all said on my behalf. If you want to read about my journey and what I found out it is on my blog in the posts: http://setmyfeetonarock.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-journey-to-freedom.html
http://setmyfeetonarock.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-plan.html
The crux of it all, I believe, and the fact that brings me to my knees and lifts me right back up is the FACT...the written in the palm of His nail scarred hands Basic Truth...that He is our Father and we are his children...that each one of us are precious to him.
Precious.
Just as we are.
We bow down, we fall face down, we lift up our hands, we sing, we shout, we weep...we give thanks and praise to the spirit which connects us - that we are loved with a pure and grace-full heavenly abiding love.
Thank you Lord for teaching us the wisdom and faith of our brother Daniel. We recognize his teaching and prepare to incorporate it into our lives. Amen!
Happy Friday Eve to all,
Liz
AK
Wendy, when I read your verses for today, in Daniel, I burst into tears...it was such a blessing to me. I have felt like God did not hear me, (but in my heart I knew He did)...and today's verses lifted me up and out of the pit I was in. I know He has heard me, and the answer is on the way...in His time. I AM PRECIOUS TO HIM!. I feel amazing...He has heard me, and I am precious to Him! Oh how I needed today's reading.
Jan TN
I was going back over all this just now and something else was stirring in my heart. Wendy said that when we combine the "Oh Lord" prayer with an attitude of humility and a desire for understanding we can move mountains. God has also ordained that His spoken Word to carry a power that words we simply think do not. I have always struggled with praying aloud. I am being challenged to not only pray for God to hear, forgive, listen and act but to do so aloud. My insecurity in doing so is only my stinking pride which God hates! I come to Him in humility and lay aside my own self. May the mountains be moved (Matthew 17:19-20)!
Wendy, I'm with you on this...
The doctor called last night and the biopsy came back cancer. I have an appt with a surgeon Sept 24,and will know the direction to go from there. Meanwhile, the best direction to go is down on my knees, "Oh Lord..."
The praise is that it was detected early - so God has been directing my path to be where I needed to be at the right time! No lump, no problems, it was just detected in a routine mammogram - so I encourage you to get yours if you haven't done so lately.
"She who keeps herself steadfast will hope again." Ps 112:7 God knew I would need those words at just the right time... this study is a blessing, and so are my prayer sisters :)
Love you all,
Susan
Hi all. I've been busy this week with bank examiners, so haven't had alot of daytime time to bop in and read...but I am reading along with you all still!
Wendy - the verse you picked jumped out at me cuz I just finished reading Billy Graham's book called "Angels" and he said the same thing you did - that unanswered pray isn't always that...there is stuff going on in the spirit world that we cannot even begin to understand...demons trying to block our prayers, etc....so cool that this is where we are in the reading right after I finished his book.
I'm with you on the humble praying...I too have felt real blocked, or stuck in my prayer life for a while now. I know it's my attitude and sin that is blocking it, and my pride is getting in the way. I'll begin with you all by humbling my prayers physically and spiritually. I'm in.
Morgen - MN
Susan,
I am praying for you right now!
Heavenly Father, God of all healing, hear our prayer. Your precious child Susan has been diagnosed with cancer. I know there is nothing beyond You, nothing you cannot do. You love us immeasurably and you hide us under Your wing. In everything there is a purpose; there is a time for everything under heaven - a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.
I know You work all things to the good for those who love you. If it be Your will, please bring healing to Susan. Give the Drs knowledge and compassion, allow the right treatments to work for the good of one who loves you. In all things, Your will be done.
In Your holy name I pray,
Amen
Wendy,I'm also in.....and comforted to know that delayed does not mean denied!!!
Praise God.
Chanan, Bahamas.
Good evening ladies,
Although I have been quiet I am with you.
Susan I will get on my knees as well. Good for you on caring enough to keep yourself healthy. I just went for mine and as I was waiting, thought "this is such a waste of time". However I stayed and my results were normal. I am glad I listened to that inner voice.
Father I lift Susan up to you tonight. Wrap your arms around Susan and give her rest. Allow Susan to absorb the news of this cancer that has invaded her body. Father you know Susan's needs and her heart. Tonight I stand in praise of the early detection. Allow Susan strength for loving her temple and taking care of it. Please Lord surround Susan with people who love and care for her as she makes some tough decisions. Thank you for all these things, amen.
Hugs dear sister,
Diane
Wendy, I am in.
Yes undoubtedly, in some moments I can phrase that I agree with you, but you may be considering other options.
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