We are seeing spiritual battle come against us in this age that is set to destroy the Kingdom of God and to destroy mankind. We know our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). And we could wonder, “Are our prayers being effective? When will the prophecies about Christ’s return transpire?” We read in Daniel 10 that Daniel had been mourning, fasting, and praying for three weeks because he was facing the same thing. Daniel wanted to know, “How long, O Lord? When will our captivity be over? When will the prophecies be fulfilled?” As Daniel travailed, an angel appeared to him and said, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words” (Daniel 10:12).1
God answers prayers and many times He sends that answer to us through spiritual beings. He sends His messengers to accomplish those prayers, to answer us, and to bring wisdom. But look what took place with Daniel: “The prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me” (Daniel 10:13). The angel was being thwarted by this prince of Persia; so here is a direct understanding of how spiritual warfare works. On the first day that Daniel prayed, God answered his prayer, but the answer was not getting through because it was being thwarted by the principalities and powers that were set against Daniel. Finally, Michael the archangel, who we know is the protector of Israel, came and engaged in the battle. Interesting. This war in heaven with Michael and the kings of Persia was initiated by Daniel’s prayers. As God sends the answer and moves to manifest His Kingdom on earth, everything that is set to block the Kingdom is drawn out against what God is trying to do. The rebellion of those spiritual forces is revealed; but then those forces can be abolished by God’s archangels, by His spiritual warriors.
We have to understand that our prayer is more than just words. We have the ability through our intercession to bring about the demise of the spirits of rebellion—the principalities and powers that have opposed the Lordship of Christ. Ephesians tells us to “pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). It is important for us to realize that our prayers are literally initiating times of warfare in the spirit, and that warfare is being used to make every enemy a footstool of His feet (Hebrews 10:13). All the heavenly hosts will be brought under Christ’s rule and authority. The spirit world must be brought into order and dealt with first. Then Yeshua (Jesus) will return and deal with the natural level.
Again, we must understand the power of prayer. Sometimes we question our effectiveness, but many times the power of prayer has to be discerned in the spirit to see what is actually transpiring as a result of our prayers. Yeshua is seated at the right hand of God and upsetting the balance of power in the realm of spirit (Matthew 26:64). Every force of wickedness will be brought down. Then Christ will return with the great host of heaven to bring God’s purpose and His Kingdom onto this earth. Lord, we ask for it in our day. Amen.
1 All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995).