Two-Minute Manna

“The first day you prayed, your words were heard,” the angel told Daniel. Yet, according to Daniel 10:2, for twenty-one days, there was no answer.

God can answer prayer directly and immediately. Or He can deny the prayer in His sovereignty, knowing what we ask for will be detrimental. Or He can delay the answer. Why does the Lord delay answers to prayer? Oftentimes, the Lord just wants us to spend time with Him and He knows that if we come cruising into His presence and get what we want immediately, we’ll grab the goods and run away quickly. Therefore, oftentimes, I believe the Father says, “It’s nice to see you again. Slow down. Don’t rush off.”

Sometimes, answers to prayer are delayed because God wants us to think through what it is we really want from Him. I remember when my kids were little, every Christmas they gave me wish lists consisting of everything they saw on TV, heard about from other kids, and saw in toy catalogues. How did I know what they really wanted? As Christmas got closer, the lists became condensed as they were able to determine the things they really wanted to see under the tree. I believe the same is true with prayer. We come with a torrent of thoughts, ideas, and requests, but sometimes the Lord delays the answer as if to say, “What do you really want?” It’s not that He doesn’t know. It’s that He wants us to discover that which is truly on our own hearts.

Answers to prayer can be delayed because the Lord wants us to spend time with Him, because He wants us to recognize what it is we truly seek - or because of demonic spiritual forces. Such was the case with Daniel . . .