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The Lonely Angel

Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.” Daniel 10:12-13 (NLT)

This passage always gives me goose bumps. It paints a picture of a world that I believe in, but I really don’t understand. It’s the world where angels and demons fight over the progress of God’s Kingdom, and the outcome is often a direct result to our prayers.

In this passage Daniel, one of the exiled Israelites in Babylon, has a vision. His vision so troubles him that he enters into a twenty-one day period of prayer and fasting. At the end of three weeks, an angel appears to Daniel. He doesn’t identify himself, but he is obviously an angel of great authority. He tells Daniel that he had tried to visit him three weeks earlier, but that he was resisted by the prince of Persia and wasn’t able to get past him to Daniel. I don’t fully understand the theological implications of this, but it sounds like this “prince” was a powerful demonic spirit who resisted the angel in his work. The Apostle Paul talked about these spiritual beings in his letters when he mentioned the principalities and powers. For twenty-one days the angel battled the demon alone. Then Michael, the high-ranking angel of heaven, came to assist him and overpower the demon. I think Michael was dispatched to the scene as a direct result of Daniel’s persistent prayers and fasting.

When I read this passage a few weeks ago, I couldn’t help but wonder how many lonely angels there were out there in the spiritual realm. How many angels are battling on our behalf, but are unable to prevail until they have enough prayer fuel to help them overcome our enemies?

I’m fond of saying that prayer is the currency of God’s Kingdom. It’s how things get done in the spiritual realm. But if we don’t pray, if we succumb to busyness or spiritual distractions, then the angels fight alone. And that thought is just enough to motivate me to pray more.

What spiritual battles in our lives, our families, our churches and our cities are stuck in a spiritual stalemate simply because we’re too busy to pray? What angels are fighting demons alone over your city, your church or your home right now and are longing for you to join in their battle through prayer? Will you? Will you get in this game?

Prayer is the most direct means God has given to us to impact the spiritual realm. Will you become a person of prayer? Will you add fuel to the angels’ fights? Will you help break the stronghold of sin and darkness over our land? Never underestimate the power of your prayers. Your next prayer may be the one that beckons the very power of heaven to your cause.

Dr. Will Davis Jr.
Sr. Pastor
Austin Christian Fellowship



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