Prayer Power - Daniel 7-12

 Daniel 9:20-23 (ESV)

Gabriel Brings an Answer

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for the holy hill of my God, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

What actually happens when we pray.  Perhaps the above passage from the life of Daniel can give us some insight.   It is no secret that Daniel was a praying man.  His enemies had him tossed into the lion’s den because of his consistent habit of praying.  When Daniel prayed, we read, that “word went out.”   The angel Gabriel tells Daniel that his prayers created activity in heaven.   That is an amazing truth.   His prayers actually moved the angel Gabriel to leave heaven and minster to Daniel.   Daniel’s prayers moved God to provide to Daniel insight and understanding.  We should never underestimate how prayer opens up a conduit for the wisdom of God to flow from above to us (James 1).   God not only began to answer Daniel’s prayer, He did so with a desire to enlighten Daniel on other great matters.   The answers that follow in these chapters are much greater than Daniel actually prayed about.   When we pray that opens up the door of heaven for God to speak to us and give us wisdom on many areas, much to our amazement.   Mostly, however, Daniel’s prayer opened up the door for understanding.   Daniel prayed confessed his sins (and the sins of the nation) and presented a plea before God for mercy.  But, like Solomon, when you ask for one thing from God you get much, much more.   Solomon didn’t ask for riches, but rather wisdom.  But, he received riches, as well.  Daniel didn’t ask for understanding, he asked for mercy for his sins, but he received much, much more.   Prayer is the channel by which we, on earth, move God, in heaven to act on our behalf.  Never underestimate the power of prayer.  It opens the doors of heaven for God to become even more active in your life.