Daniel 10:12-13 NLT
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.”
It’s the first day… and “your request has been heard in heaven.”
Daniel had received a vision from God. It troubled him as he sought to understand. “What are You saying to me, God?” “Is this You or just my imagination?” “Please help me understand!” And for 21 days, there was silence. No word. No understanding. No answer. Then, on day 21, this messenger angel appears with the news that he was dispatched the minute Daniel began to pray, but he had encountered a prince of darkness who fought against him and delayed the Lord’s answer getting to Daniel.
I have found this to be pretty normal in my prayer life. Rarely have I prayed on Monday morning and had a miracle by Monday night. It’s possible, and I have had instant miraculous answers. However, 98% of my prayer life has been persevering over time while waiting in faith.
What do we pray on day one? Where do we start? Daniel was deeply troubled, and he desperately sought God in prayer and fasting. As you begin this season of prayer, what has God stirred in your heart? What is troubling you? Who is on your mind, and what concerns you?
Last night, I awoke at 1 a.m. deeply troubled. Several people dealing with sickness or difficult situations were on my mind.
I got up and went up to my office to pray. I wrote their names out and began to pray for each of them until I had peace to go back to sleep. This morning, I spoke with one of the people for whom I prayed. They had been up at that same time fighting off fear and discouragement ignited by a negative medical report. Peace came to them, and they were able to sleep.
Let’s begin our prayer with a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. He will burden you with a person, situation, or need that is on the mind of the Father. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Begin there.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we honor You and submit control of our prayer time to You. We yield to the Holy Spirit to bring to mind scriptures, names, callings, circumstances, or anything that needs to be brought in alignment with Your will. Your kingdom come! Your will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen!