How can the delay in Daniel getting answers to prayer be explained? Daniel 10:12

 Question: How can the delay in Daniel getting answers to prayer be explained?

See Answer: http://ebible.com/answers/51851?ori=664697

Angel armies

I remember hearing about this for the first time in my young Christian life at Arizona Bible College in Phoenix, Arizona.

Daniel’s delay in receiving an answer to his prayer is explained in Daniel 10:12-13. Here’s the passage from the NET Bible:

Daniel 10:12-13 (NET)

12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words.

13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there with the kings of Persia.

The delay then was because of spiritual warfare, I believe. The angel tells Daniel that God heard his prayer immediately (Da 10:12), but the answer was delayed because a powerful demonic being, called the prince of Persia, resisted him for 21 days (DaI remember hearing about this for the first time in my young Christian life at Arizona Bible College in Phoenix, Arizona.

Daniel’s delay in receiving an answer to his prayer is explained in Daniel 10:12-13. Here’s the passage from the NET Bible:

Daniel 10:12-13 (NET)

12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words.

13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there with the kings of Persia.

The delay then was because of spiritual warfare, I believe. The angel tells Daniel that God heard his prayer immediately (Da 10:12), but the answer was delayed because a powerful demonic being, called the prince of Persia, resisted him for 21 days (Dan 10:13). This shows that spiritual battles in the unseen realm can hinder the delivery of God’s response.

Daniel’s prayer was heard instantly; the delay was not due to God’s unwillingness but due to a spiritual battle. Prayer persistence matters; Daniel continued fasting and seeking God for three weeks (Daniel 10:2-3), aligning with Luke 18:1, where Jesus taught to “always pray and not lose heart.”  Finally, God’s timing is perfect: the answer may have been delayed, but it still arrived at the right moment.

How does this apply to us today? Pray without ceasing even when answers seem delayed, we must persist (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Recognize spiritual opposition; delays are not always natural; spiritual battles may be involved.  Trust in God's victory. (Michael and God’s angels will always prevail over Satan’s forces.)  Use spiritual weapons – The Word of God, faith, prayer, and fasting are essential for engaging in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18).

What must I do personally?  Put on the Full Armor of God

 Ephesians 6:13-18 (ESV)

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."

🔹 The Armor of God in Prayer:

Belt of Truth – Pray with sincerity, aligning with God’s truth.

Breastplate of Righteousness – Live in righteousness so Satan has no foothold.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – Pray for boldness to share the Gospel.

Shield of Faith – Use prayer to resist doubts and spiritual attacks.

Helmet of Salvation – Keep your mind focused on Christ’s victory.

Sword of the Spirit (God’s Word) – Use Scripture in prayer against the enemy.

Pray in the Spirit – Be led by the Holy Spirit in prayer (Romans 8:26). 10:13).

The delay in Daniel receiving an answer to his prayer, as described in Daniel 10:12-14, is a striking example of the spiritual warfare that takes place in the unseen realm. The angel who came to Daniel explained that from the very moment Daniel humbled himself and began praying, God had sent an answer. However, the "prince of the kingdom of Persia"—a high-ranking demonic force—opposed this angel for twenty-one days, preventing him from delivering God’s message. Only when the archangel Michael came to assist was the angel able to break through and reach Daniel.

This passage gives us insight into several important spiritual truths:

1. God Answers Prayer Immediately – As soon as Daniel prayed, God sent an answer (Daniel 10:12). However, the delay was not due to God’s unwillingness but to interference in the spiritual realm.

2. Spiritual Warfare Is Real – There is an ongoing battle between God’s holy angels and Satan’s fallen angels (Ephesians 6:12). The demonic resistance against God’s messenger in Daniel’s case demonstrates that Satan actively works to hinder God’s plans and people.

3. Angelic and Demonic Forces Influence Nations – The "prince of Persia" was not a human ruler but a demonic spirit with influence over the Persian Empire. This suggests that Satan assigns powerful demons to influence world leaders and events. In contrast, Michael is specifically mentioned as a protector of Israel (Daniel 12:1).

4. Persistent Prayer and Fasting Matter – Daniel prayed and fasted for three weeks (Daniel 10:2-3), not knowing about the spiritual battle delaying his answer. His perseverance in prayer was crucial. This aligns with Jesus’ teaching about persistent prayer (Luke 18:1-8).

5. Victory Belongs to God – Though demonic forces resist, they cannot ultimately prevail against God’s will. The angel overcame opposition with Michael’s help, demonstrating that God’s power is greater than any opposition.

This passage reminds believers today that when we pray, there may be spiritual resistance, but God hears us and answers in His perfect timing. It also underscores the need to be spiritually armed (Ephesians 6:10-18), using the Word of God and prayer as weapons in the battle against the forces of darkness.

Warren Wiersbe said, "How can the delay in Daniel's getting an answer to his prayer be explained? Daniel 10:12 Daniel’s conversation with the angel reveals to us the important fact that there is an “invisible war” going on in the heavenlies between the forces of evil and the forces of God. For three weeks, Daniel had been praying for wisdom to understand the visions he had already seen, but the answer to that prayer was delayed. Why would the Lord not immediately answer the petitions of His beloved prophet? Because “the prince of the kingdom of Persia”—an evil angel—had attacked the angel bearing the answer, probably Gabriel. This evil angel was assigned to see to it that the king of Persia did what Satan wanted him to do. Michael, the archangel assigned to minister to Israel (Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:7; Jude 9), assisted Gabriel and together they won the battle. Well-meaning people may scoff at the idea of demonic forces and good and evil angels, and they may caricature Satan, but the fact remains that this is biblical theology. When Lucifer rebelled against God and was judged, some of the angels fell with him and became the demonic evil angels that oppose Christ and obey Satan (Isa. 14:12–15; Rev. 12:7–12; Matt. 25:41). According to Ephesians 6:10–18, Satan has a well-organized army of evil spirits that obey his every command. Through His sacrificial work on the cross, Christ defeated Satan and his army (1:20–23; Col. 2:15; John 12:31; Rev. 12:11), and we can claim that victory by faith. The believer’s responsibility is to put on the whole armor of God by faith and use the Word of God and believing prayer to oppose and defeat the wicked one. It appears that there are specific evil angels assigned to various nations; some students of angelology call them “territorial spirits.” That’s why Paul told the Ephesian believers that the Christian’s battle was not against flesh and blood but against demonic forces in the heavenlies that oppose the holy angels who always do God’s will. The problems that the Jewish remnant were having in Jerusalem at that time weren’t being caused by the local officials but by Satan’s evil powers using those officials. Christians are never to worship angels (Col. 2:18–19; Rev. 19:10; 22:8–9) or pray to angels, for our worship and prayer belong to God alone. But when we pray, God directs the armies of Daniel 10 1382 heaven to fight on our behalf, even though we may know nothing about the battles that are being waged in this invisible war. (See 2 Kings 6:17.)"