“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:12-13
I was thinking about this scripture this weekend. Most of us are familiar with this Bible reference. Daniel was praying, fasting and seeking the Lord. As soon as God heard his cry, He sent the answer. However, as we know, the answer was hindered.
The Bible says it was opposed, meaning to act adversely or against. Have you ever felt you were being opposed in your search for an answer from God?
Have you ever felt that the devil and his cohorts were actively fighting against you? I think we all have.
Knowing this happened with one of God’s mighty angels, it should be no surprise it happens to us.
I Peter 5:8-9 says; Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
So, what did the angel do? He called in backup. Matthew 18:19 says; Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
There is great power in agreement. Two people in agreement can do much in the Kingdom of God.
God once showed me that the power of prayer is much greater when people are in covenant with one another. The deeper the covenant the greater the effects of the prayer of agreement will be.
For that reason, when I needed backup this week, I called on our covenant ministry partners.
I know covenant makes all the difference. I knew once we came into agreement the opposition would have to cease.
We had a personal situation we had prayed about for five days. I could feel the resistance. I knew I needed backup, so I called in backup. There is great power when God’s people gather in agreement. I thank God for that.
Although we didn’t see immediate change, I felt the prayers. I felt the lifting up of my arms.
I thought about Moses, when he was in battle and his arms grew weary.
Exodus 17:11-12 says; As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on each side, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.…
I had grown weary and needed my arms lifted. Have you ever been there? I knew I needed to remain steady. I also knew, I needed help or backup, to remain steady.
I thank God for friends who pray. I thank God for those who are in covenant with me and with this ministry. For I know, by evidence, that our prayers carry great power and awesome results.
Today, if you find you are weary in your stand of faith, get backup. Find someone, preferably someone who is in covenant with you to stand with you in prayer. We have the victory! We only need to hold steady during the challenging times. Prayer helps us do that. Backup helps us do that. Friends, holding up our arms, help us do that. Sometimes…backup is needed.
Meditate
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:20
