"But
the angel said unto him: Be not afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been
heard" (Luke
1:13)
Sometimes when we pray, we wonder if there
really is someone there who hears and answers our prayers. We think that prayer
just echoes out into an empty room and we wonder if it’s at all worthwhile to
express ourselves to someone we can’t see and talk with, with our natural
senses. It feels as though our prayers simply bounce on the ceiling. At such
times it’s good to read today's scripture, where the angel of Zechariah
declares that his prayers have been heard.
In the Book of
Daniel, we find something of an explanation why prayer requests can sometimes
be delayed. Daniel had in prayer penetrated deeply into the spirit world. He
had fasted and prayed for three weeks. Only then did something happen. Daniel
had an angelic visit, just as Zechariah would later experience. And the angel
opens his message to Daniel in the same way that he would do later when the
angel spoke to Zechariah; ‘Do not be
afraid!’ Then the angel continues to
tell Daniel that from the very day Daniel had begun to seek the Lord, his
prayers had been heard, but a prince of the spirit world had resisted the
Lord's messenger in 21 days. (Dan 10:12-13)
The Bible calls
us to persevere in prayer. The idea that there is a contravention of the spirit
world, where the angels of God have to hit through, encourages us to not give
up but to pave the way for God´s answer through persistent prayers.
Prayer
Lord, forgive us for often giving up too
easily in our prayer expectations. Thank you for allowing us to join in the
spiritual battle and through our prayers of intercession contribute to change
for the betterment here on Earth.
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