6 Things Secured Through Legitimate Prayer (Daniel 10:1)
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“In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had an understanding of the vision.” (Daniel 10:1, KJV)
Prayer is a powerful tool for communication with God, and the Bible presents numerous types of prayers. Among them, Daniel 10 introduces us to what can be termed as a “legitimate prayer” — a prayer made in the right season and at the appropriate time. In Daniel 10:1, we learn that Daniel’s prayer was informed by his understanding of divine timing and prophetic purpose. He discerned from the Scriptures that the captivity of Israel was nearing its end and embarked on a 21-day prayer and fasting exercise to secure God’s will for his people. This blog post will explore six things secured through legitimate prayer, as illustrated in Daniel 10, and how these lessons apply to our lives today.
#1 – Speedy Answers
From the moment Daniel began his 21-day fast and prayer, his words were heard in heaven. Daniel 10:12 reveals this truth: “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” Isaiah 65:24 echoes this principle: “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Legitimate prayer, rooted in God’s will, activates this divine promise.
The promptness of heaven’s response underscores that legitimate prayer aligns with God’s will and timing. When we pray in accordance with divine purpose, the answers are swift. While the visible manifestation of the answer may sometimes be delayed due to spiritual resistance, as we see in Daniel’s case, the assurance remains that God hears and dispatches help immediately. This demonstrates the importance of praying with understanding, as Daniel did, after discerning the times and seasons from the Scriptures.
#2 – Heavenly Backup
Legitimate prayer moves heaven into action. In Daniel’s case, his prayer initiated a chain of events that engaged angelic beings to deliver answers. Psalm 102:13 states, “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.” This verse underscores how divine timing prompts heavenly intervention.
The angel Gabriel was dispatched to deliver Daniel’s answer, but the prince of Persia, a demonic entity, sought to block the delivery. Gabriel’s struggle highlights the reality of spiritual warfare. To overcome the resistance, Michael, a chief prince in God’s army, was sent to assist (Daniel 10:13). This incident demonstrates that when the earth fulfills its role through intercession, heaven responds with reinforcements to ensure God’s will prevails. Isaiah 66:8 further illustrates this truth: “As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” Legitimate prayer aligns human intercession with heaven’s agenda, securing divine backup.
#3 – Victory Over Demonic Powers
One of the most striking aspects of Daniel’s experience is the spiritual battle that ensued over his prayer. While Gabriel carried the answer, he encountered resistance from the prince of Persia, a high-ranking demonic power and territorial spirit. This confrontation necessitated the intervention of Michael, a principal angel, who defeated the opposition and ensured the answer reached Daniel (Daniel 10:13).
This episode highlights a key principle of spiritual warfare: our prayers fuel angelic activity and empower heavenly beings to contend with demonic forces. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Through legitimate prayer, believers participate in God’s strategy to dismantle demonic strongholds and enforce His will on earth. Our prayers have the power to bind territorial spirits and release God’s purposes in the natural and spiritual realms.
#4 – New Divine Encounters
Daniel’s legitimate prayer brought him a fresh and profound encounter with the angel Gabriel. Previously, Gabriel had appeared to Daniel in dreams and visions, but this time, the urgency of the situation required a direct, physical appearance (Daniel 10:16).
This encounter underscores that answers to legitimate prayers may come in ways we do not expect. When we pray with understanding and in alignment with God’s will, we must remain flexible and discerning, ready to receive divine responses beyond our usual experiences. God’s methods are limitless, and He often exceeds our expectations to fulfill His purposes.
John 14:21 affirms, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” Legitimate prayer positions us for deeper manifestations of God’s presence and power.
#5 – Strengthening
The physical appearance of Gabriel had a profound impact on Daniel, draining his strength to the point where the angel had to strengthen him (Daniel 10:18-19). This moment reveals a vital truth: legitimate prayer often draws us into encounters with God that challenge and stretch us spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. Yet, in those moments, God provides the necessary strength to sustain us.
Luke 22:43 recounts a similar instance where an angel strengthened Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. These accounts remind us that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). When we engage in legitimate prayer, we can expect divine empowerment to carry us through challenging seasons and spiritual battles.
#6 – Insight and Revelation
Through legitimate prayer, Daniel received profound insight and revelation about the spiritual dynamics of his territory. Gabriel revealed to him the ongoing battle between angelic and demonic princes and provided insight into the future shifts in principalities (Daniel 10:20).
Additionally, Daniel was shown what was written in the “scripture of truth” (Daniel 10:21). This heavenly record contains details about God’s plans and purposes, akin to the “book” mentioned in Psalm 139:16 and Hebrews 10:7. Through prayer, believers gain access to the rhema word of God—specific, timely revelations that guide their lives and ministries.
Proverbs 25:2 declares, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Legitimate prayer positions us to receive divine wisdom and understanding, unlocking mysteries that shape our destinies and advance God’s kingdom.
In Conclusion, legitimate prayer, as demonstrated by Daniel in chapter 10, is marked by alignment with God’s timing, will, and purposes. It secures speedy answers, heavenly backup, victory over demonic powers, new divine encounters, strengthening, and profound insight and revelation. This type of prayer transcends routine petitions and becomes a powerful tool for partnering with God to fulfill His plans on earth.
To engage in legitimate prayer, believers must cultivate a deep understanding of Scripture, sensitivity to divine timing, and a heart aligned with God’s will. As we intercede with authenticity, focus, and faith, we position ourselves to experience the extraordinary results of heaven’s response.
I encourage you to study Daniel 10 further and explore other examples of legitimate prayer in Scripture. May you be inspired to pray with purpose, power, and persistence, knowing that heaven moves in response to the prayers of the righteous.
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