Grace World Outreach Church
When Prayers Seem Unanswered – Stand Firm
Text: Daniel 10
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 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.” (Ephesians 6:11–13, ESV)
Netyanhau’s address to the UN.
Daniel’s Dilemma:
• When Culture Shifts… Stand
• When The World Is Troubled… Speak Truth
• When The Music Plays… Don’t Bow
• When A Nation Goes Insane… Stay Humble
• When The Writing Is On The Wall… Stay Holy
• When You’re In The Den… Stay Hungry
• When You’re Weary… Keep Your Head Up
• When The Finish Line Is In Sight… Don’t Stop Short
Today’s Focus: When Prayers Seem Unanswered… Keep Pressing In
Daniel 10:2–7 (ESV):
“On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris), I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.”
1. There Is Always More Than Meets the Eye
Daniel 10:12–14 (ESV):
“Then he said to me, ‘Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.’”
“Prayer is the one hand with which we grasp the invisible; fasting, the other, with which we let loose and cast away the visible.” — Andrew Murray
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.
Spiritual Warfare is the ongoing battle between believers and the forces of evil that exist in the spiritual realm. This evil seeks to oppose God’s will and His people.
This battle is seen in both the natural and the supernatural. It manifests in our lives as temptation, deception, and demonic oppression.
Open Doors to Spiritual Warfare:
• Musings: Music, entertainment, meditations
• Sin: Addictions and sin, especially sexual sins
• Hurt: Physical and emotional trauma
• Occult
• Curses: Idle or negative words
Remember: There is always more than meets the eye!
2. Delay Does Not Mean Denial
Daniel 10:12 (ESV):
“Then he said to me, ‘Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.’”
Reasons Prayers May Seem Unanswered:
1. Praying Outside the Will of God: 1 John 5:14
2. Praying with Unrepentant Sin: Psalm 66:18
3. Praying Without Faith: James 1:6–7
4. Praying with Selfish Motives: James 4:3
5. Praying in Disunity: Mark 11:25
6. Praying in the Midst of Opposition
Remember: The devil always prophesies in reverse!
“The enemy would rather face something in its infancy than deal with it in its maturity.” — Joel Stockstill
3. The Sword Works With Our Words
Daniel 10:15–16 (ESV):
“When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke.”
Revelation 12:11 (ESV):
“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
3 Ways of Warfare:
• Devotion: The blood of the Lamb
• Prayer: The word of our testimony
• Fasting: Love not our lives
The enemy wants to silence you, but speaking God’s Word is how you fight back.
Encouraging Verses for Victory:
• “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4, ESV).
• “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, ESV).
• “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV).
• “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, ESV).
• “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).
• “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Corinthians 2:14, ESV).
• “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10, ESV).
• “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, ESV).
• “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4–5, ESV).
• “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17, ESV).
• “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV).
• “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11, ESV).
• “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15, ESV).
• “For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory” (Deuteronomy 20:4, ESV).
• “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV).
• “Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us” (Psalm 44:5, ESV).
• “With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes” (Psalm 60:12, ESV).
• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, ESV).
• “Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts’” (Zechariah 4:6, ESV).
• “Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s’” (2 Chronicles 20:15, ESV).
• “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6, ESV).
• “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord”