Had a devotion a couple of weeks ago that just hit me like a rock! And it has stuck with me since. Let me share it with you. It's along one so bear with me. :)
(I use the SOAP method in my devos... S.cripture O.bservation A.pplication P.rayer)
S- Daniel 9:3 - "So I turned to the Lord and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition, in fasting and in sackcloth and ashes."
O - Daniel humbled himself, fasted and prayed... he took this seriously... not just tossing some prayers out there. Also, notice that in this scripture he is praying for his people, not himself.
A - Daniel meant business here... how seriously do I take my prayer life? And not just for myself, but for my fellow people? For all of us as a whole?
... not ready for the P yet...
S - Daniel 9:23 - (Gabriel to Daniel) "As soon as you began to pray an answer was given."
O - Gabriel came and said an answer to his prayer was given
A - Gabriel came to deliver an answer - because his prayer was heard right when he began to pray and Daniel was highly esteemed. If God is no respecter of persons then why was Daniel highly esteemed? I think because he was humble and his heart was right with God. Which shows me that I too can be highly esteemed by God and God can and will answer my prayers!
...still no P...
S - Daniel 10:12 - "Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God your words were heard and I have come in response to them."
O - Another time of humbled prayer. This time with waiting and mourning. At the beginning of chapter 10 we see he had been praying and mourning and waiting for three weeks for an answer.
A - Since the first day he set his mind to gain understanding, his words were heard. Our words are heard. My words are heard by God! However...
...the P is coming...
S - Daniel 10:13 - (messenger to Daniel) "But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty one days... now I have come."
O - The messenger came - Daniel's words were heard the first time he prayed but the answer was detained.
A - The answer was detained this time. (vs.2 says Daniel waited 3 weeks / vs.13 says the messenger was detained for 21 days by as spiritual being, the Prince of Persia) However, Daniel continued praying and fasting. He waited. He continued... he continued. Do I continue? Do I fast? Do I wait? Or do I pray my prayer and go about my day and get upset when an answer doesn't come? Do I continue?
Am I committed to the relationship with God, waiting and trusting Him? or am I just looking for an answer to my problem or need? Am I seeking understanding and relationship?
Also, am I committed to praying consistently until an answer comes? Prayers are heard but sometimes answers are detained spiritually and we must continue to pray that it be released.
Summing it up...
God heard Daniel both times. An answer was sent both times. One of the times the answer was spiritually detained. Through Daniel's persistence and continued prayer, the messenger was released to bring the answer.
How important is it that we don't give up?! Wow. We never know what spiritual battle is being fought and our prayers are fighting it whether we know it or not! And while we continue, the relationship grows with our Father and we learn to depend on Him. Awesome!
So...
I must have relationship with God. Daily. Personal. Loving Him.
I must be concerned with more than just myself. How about the person next to me? My neighbor? My president? My country? My world?
I must humble myself before God and fast if need be and ask for His perspective and His heart. I'm here for more than just me.
I must wait patiently on Him and continue praying even when it seems no answer is coming.
I must love him above all else - above myself and depend on Him.
...and here it is...
P - Lord thank you for your word and the truth that it reveals. Help me to humble myself before you and take my time in your presence. Give me understanding of your word and your heart and help me commit to you. Help me to continue in prayer and in your presence even when it seems no answer is near... help me to have unwavering faith in YOU! Thank you for your love and that you hear my prayers. Thank you for your answer to them even when it may be different than I may have thought. Thank you that you care for me. You are good and your faithfulness does endure! I love you Father! Amen.
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