The story from Daniel 10 shows that the determining factor in spiritual warfare remains with us, believers, here on earth. Revelation 12:11 tells us: “They”—God’s people on earth—“overcame him”—Satan—“by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” We are the decisive factor in the affairs of the universe. I am not exaggerating one bit. If Daniel had not prayed, things would never have happened in heaven. He had to pray for twenty-one days to get the answer. What delayed the answer? This was not because Daniel did not pray according to the will of God. There was nothing wrong with his prayer. Satan, in the person of the prince of the kingdom of Persia, was the reason for the delay.
Many times you do not get your prayer answered, not because you are praying wrong, but simply because you have to pray that wicked old prince out of the way. If you are not prepared to do it, you will not get the answer to your prayer. You have to pray through. You have to challenge Satan. Most people are afraid to do this. If you get into this realm, you will face problems and temptations that do not come the way of the average Christian. Unseen forces will be directed against any person who sets himself to praying intelligently for those in authority. If you do not have any guts and gumption, do not even begin. My language may seem unrefined, but I mean it.
In verse 20, after the revelation had been granted, the angel said:
“Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.”
None of these are human beings. They are the satanic rulers behind the early kingdoms. These kingdoms are significant because they were the ones that successively dominated the Holy Land. First Babylon, then Persia, then Greece, then Rome. Behind every one was a major satanic prince. The issue of events was decided not in the heavenly realm but on the earth below, by the prayer of one man, Daniel.
Lord, give me the courage to engage in this battle with wisdom and the power of your Holy Spirit. Help me to become acquainted with the spiritual weapons, to know Your Word, and the authority in it, and give me discernment to recognize the counter-attacks that Satan will launch. Thank You for Your victory, thank You for your grace, and thank You for the role You allow me to have in this important battle! In the name of Jesus, amen!
