Two-Minute Manna

In Ephesians 6, we read that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. There are angels, yes. But there are also demons. And they are very real. They’re apparently highly organized into principalities, powers, rulers, and spiritual wickedness in high places. The Bible seems to teach that countries have specific demons that oversee or undermine them. Here, the angel says to Daniel, “The day you prayed, I was sent, but I was intercepted by the prince of Persia and for twenty-one days I wrestled with him.” That is, the demon who oversees Persia, or present-day Iran, intercepted him and kept him from coming until Michael, the archangel of God, came to reinforce this angel and free him from the grasp of the prince of Persia.

Thus, the answer to prayer was hung up in a Heavenly conflict. What would have happened had Daniel quit praying after eighteen days? I believe the answer would never have come. He had to pray through. There are demons at work, gang. We are not wrestling against people, against flesh and blood. It’s not your boss’s personality, your husband’s insensitivity, or your wife’s inadequacies that are irritating you. Rather, there are demons in place that are causing all kinds of irritations, improper evaluations, and very real frustrations. If you’re wrestling against people, you’re fighting the wrong battle. It’s the demons you need to war against, not flesh and blood.

James tells us that we have not because we ask not (4:2). In the original text, it’s clear that Jesus taught us to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking (Matthew 7:7). Part of the reason we’re taught to keep praying is because there is a war going on that, although we don’t see it with our eyes, we feel its effects. If we give up in prayer, much of the blessing and release that would have come our way won’t make it. Daniel discovered this.