“As soon as you began to pray an answer was given.” – Daniel 9:23

“From the first day that you set your heart on understanding and humbled yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.” – Daniel 10:12

Both of these passages reside within the context of Daniel’s exile in Babylon. Both passages are quotes from angels who’ve been dispatched to give Daniel a message.

Both passages are about the power of prayer.

Ever felt like you pray and pray and pray and nothing is happening? Me too. Many times.

But, rest assured – you have God’s undivided attention.

Further, when it feels as though God’s forgotten you (Cf. Psalm 13), nothing could be further from the truth.  Jesus is actively working in our lives before we even ask for help.

Jesus said,

“My Father has been working until now [He has never ceased working], and I too am working.” – John 5:17

And he knows our anxiety, stress, and pain more than we do.

David prayed,

“[God, you are] intimately acquainted with all my ways.” – Psalm 139:3

Jesus loves you; he died for you; he sees you; he’s listening to you; he’s working on your behalf; and he’s answering your prayers.

Louie Giglio once said,

“If we could see what is happening when we pray, we would never stop praying.”

Why pray? Because Jesus prayed, and he prayed as though it made a difference.

After describing the “armor of God”, Paul wrote,

“With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.” – Ephesians 6:18

Keep on praying. Keep asking; keep seeking; keep knocking. (Cf. Matthew 7:7-8)

Nick