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How our Prayers Affect the Spiritual World

I wrote in an earlier article that prayer is one of the weapons that God has given us in our spiritual warfare. Sometimes we can forget this part of our armor, and how important intercession is to advancing God’s kingdom.

In the book of Daniel, we get an interesting glimpse into the role that prayer plays in spiritual conflict. Daniel was praying and fasting for three weeks, seeking understanding of the visions he had received. After the 21 days, an angel appeared to him with the following message:

Then 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. But 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. Now 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.”
Daniel 10:12-14

Do you see what is happening here? As soon as Daniel set his heart to seek the Lord in prayer, God sent an angel to answer him. But the angel was held up in a spiritual conflict with the “prince of the kingdom of Persia.” A spiritual battle ensued with this demonic principality, and then God sent the angel Michael to help bring victory.

As far as Daniel could tell, nothing was happening at all during this 21 day fast. But in the spiritual realm, things were moving. He kept praying, and finally the answer came.

When you pray, you may not always be aware of what is happening. But be encouraged that your prayers are affecting things in the unseen world. A battle is raging, and our prayers are shifting things in the heavenlies. We must persevere in seeking God and interceding for His kingdom to come and will to be done “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Whether we realize it or not, our prayers are changing things in the spiritual world. And one of the keys for prevailing prayer is steadfast perseverance. Like Daniel, we must set our hearts toward the Lord, and press through until the answer comes!

 

About Jake

Jake Kail is a teacher, author, and speaker who is passionate for the kingdom of God. He was called into ministry during his college years, after a life-changing encounter with God. The focus of his ministry is on teaching and equipping believers, strengthening local churches, and seeing awakening and restoration come to the church. He also ministers often in the area of deliverance from evil spirits, seeing people set free from bondage, torment, and oppression. Jake is the author of three books: Restoring the Ministry of Jesus, Can a Christian Have a Demon?, and Abiding in the Vine. He speaks at churches, retreats, conferences, and other venues. Jake lives with his wife and family in Lancaster, PA where he serves on the pastoral team at Threshold Church. Check out Jake’s website and blog here: http://www.jakekail.com.

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6 comments

  1. Great post. I heard a pastor say that angels and demons are grappling over every spoken word…all that comes out of our mouths affects the spirit realm.

  2. I know what it’s like to be discourage after it seems like our prayers are not yielding results.

    It’s like a race; it’s easy to cheer on the runner that’s winning because you can see progress… But it’s also important to cheer on the runner that’s loosing because it can make a difference in his efforts. Likewise, it doesn’t matter how much it seems like our prayers aren’t being answered, never cease praying. Prayer changes things.

    • So true, Amelia! Jesus knew it would be easy to lose heart in prayer: “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1). We have to press on!

    • Thanks for encouraging words, stand with me in prayers for my family, deliverance from demons and salvation

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