Sermon Central
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Lifting The Curtain To Pray
Contributed by David Cramer on Sep 11, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Learning to open the way to prayer
What a blessed place when we see the unseen, and start to look at life and all it’s challenges and temptations with our spiritual eyes!
B) What happens when we pray (behind the scenes)
Daniel has just seen the glory of the One he prays to, and is now about to learn more about what happens when we pray
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."
A second being now send to help Daniel
Touches Daniel and helps him to his feet
Daniel stood trembling and shaking
Then the Angel revealed to him everything about prayer! Surely this has been given also to us to show us what happens when we pray.
Not only is the King of Kings there, but also helping angels
14Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
Angels are ready to be sent by God to do His work, when we pray!
We can not command angels, but we can certainly request from God. And he commands!
Now verse 12: "…Daniel, for from the first day… your words were heard…"
Firstly: Our prayers are heard: IMMDEDIATELY!
"…and I have come because of your words…"
Secondly: When was the answer sent: IMMEDIATELY!
Child of God be assured tonight…..Your prayer has already been heard at the Throne, and an answer has been send!
Thirdly: Delays is possible!
Verse 13: "…13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days…"
You see there are not only good angels, but also fallen angels, trying to oppose and delay God’s work!
12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Fourthly: God answer will never be too late!
"…and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…"
God will muster all the force needed, as long as faith remains!
Next time you pray, know you are involved in Heavenly warfare, know that God hears you, and answers immediately, know that you should remain in prayer, and keep faith, and know that God’s answer will never be too late! (Satan and all his forces were defeated on a lonely hill called Calvary!)
That is why prayer is so vitally important, keep on praying, keep the faith!
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
So if you agree tonight that we should believe in prayer
Then don’t speak to me…
Speak to God more and more
2. Physical realm:
C) How does our prayer affect those we pray for
15When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, "My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. 17For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me."
Here we can see that the prayer has a terrible physical effect on Daniel, he had no strength and he was overcome with sorrow (the Afrikaans Bible says, he was overcome with cramps)
It serves as a reminder to us, that prevailing prayer has a high cost on us, let me tell you anybody that says that prayer is not hard work, has never worked hard at prayer.
It is hard to work, sometimes we don’t feel like praying, and there are times that it is absolute agony to pray!
