Lesson 31: God Answers Daniel’s Prayer

Daniel 10:13-21
 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,
14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute.
16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.
19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.


As we began explaining in our last lesson, Daniel had been praying for three weeks before he received his reply – and God sent one of His messengers to personally come to explain it to Daniel – the angel Gabriel. Gabriel explains that God sent him the very first day Daniel began to pray, but someone stopped Gabriel from getting to Daniel. The “prince of Persia” is not a person, but a demon-ruler. Gabriel had to call for help to be able to complete his assignment from God, and it was Michael who came to his rescue. We see Michael in another verse, also battling against an evil ruler, the devil, for the body of Moses (Jude 1:9). This teaches us to continue to pray (Jesus said we should keep on asking, keep on knocking, Matthew 7:7) but we must also seek His will (Matthew 6:33).

Could God not simply have breathed out fire against the enemy that kept the messenger from Daniel? Yes, He could! But persistence in prayer is a practice He wants each of us who trust Him to have. Please also note that Gabriel came to strengthen Daniel, and then left with the promise that he would return with the explanation as soon as he and Michael had won the battle against the prince of Persia.

*When have you prayed persistently until you received your answer from God?