As we look not only at the summer months ahead, but also at what’s taking place in our world right now, it is obvious that we are confronted by battles on many fronts. 

Not only Ukraine and Israel, but the battle against violence on our streets. The battle against illicit opioids like fentanyl. The battle against sex trafficking. The battle against abortion on demand. Cultural battles. Racial battles. Political battles. We are at war, whether we admit it or not. 

But the real battle … the fiercest, most significant battle … is being waged in the spiritual realm. It’s the ancient battle between good and evil, light and darkness, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. It’s a battle we enter into when we pray …

Read Daniel 10

Note: The Man dressed in linen described in 10:4-6 is the preincarnate Son of God. He is not the same messenger as described in the rest of this chapter.

THE BATTLE IS PERSONAL 

Daniel 10:1-3

• Give at least one highlight of Daniel’s prayer life from each of these chapters: Daniel 1; 2; 5; 6.  

• Do you think Daniel was a man who was confident that God would answer his prayers? Give chapter and verse on which to base your answer. 

• Who was involved in the battle of Daniel 10? Verses 1-2.

• What were the reasons for the battle in Daniel 10? Verses 1, 12-13.

• From the following verses, describe others who personally battled in prayer: Habakkuk 1:2-3, 12-17; Matthew 15:21-23; John 11:1-6. 

• How did God’s silence affect each one praying? Habakkuk 2:1; Matthew 15:25; John 11:17-27. 

• What did each one of these people have in common as they battled in prayer?

• How did God honor their perseverance? Habakkuk 2:2-3; Matthew 15:26-28; John 11:38-44.

• Describe a time when you were desperate for an answer to your prayer, but God seemed silent. How did you respond? What has been the outcome?

THE BATTLE IS EMOTIONAL 

Daniel 10:4-11

• Describe the roller coaster of emotions Daniel experienced in 10:4-11.

• From the following verses, list some of the emotions we may experience in battle: 2 Timothy 1:4-8; Galatians 6:9; Matthew 26:40-46; Revelation 1:10-17.

• What does Habakkuk teach us about our emotions? Habakkuk 3:16-18.

• How does the Apostle Paul address this from prison? Philippians 4:4-7.

• Which of the emotions referred to in the above verses have you also experienced in prayer? Instead of being a sign that something’s “wrong,” could they be an indication you have been in a spiritual battle?

THE BATTLE IS INVISIBLE   

Daniel 10:12-14

• Who do you think the prince of Persia and the prince of Greece were? Daniel 10:12, 20. Give descriptions of our invisible enemy from Isaiah 14:12-15; 1 Peter 5:8; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:11, 16; Revelation 12:9; 20:2. 

• When we pray, what insight does Paul give us concerning the invisible battle? Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.

• Who was Michael, mentioned in Daniel 10:13; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7?

• Who do you think the messenger could have been in Daniel 10:10-11:1; Daniel 8:16; Luke 1:11-20; 1:26-38?

• What insight does this give you about prayer?

• What encouragement does this give you in prayer?

THE BATTLE IS WINNABLE            

Daniel 10:15-21 

• What was Daniel’s prayer? Daniel 10:12.

• Did Daniel receive the answer to his prayer? Daniel 10:14; 10:18-11:1.

• In addition to the answer, what else did Daniel receive? Daniel 10:18-19.

• What encouragement do you receive from: Psalm 34:7? Zechariah 4:6? Luke 10:17? Ephesians 1:18-21? 1 John 4:4? 1 John 5:4-5? Revelation 5:11-14? 20:10?

After decades of praying, I still wrestle in prayer. It can be so hard! My experience confirms that prayer is not just preparation for life’s battles. Prayer is the battle! 

If prayer is a battle for you, too, then join me in refusing to give up or give in to the enemy. Let’s choose to persevere in prayer until we are confident God has heard and Heaven has been moved. Regardless of what the answers to our prayers are, join me as we stay focused on the sovereignty of the One who is a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering, miracle-working, covenant-keeping God—until our faith becomes sight and all of our prayers are answered! 

This article is adapted from a study that was originally published in January 2016.

Anne Graham Lotz has proclaimed God’s Word worldwide for more than 40 years. Her newest book, which she co-authored with her daughter Rachel-Ruth Wright, is Preparing to Meet Jesus—Moving From Salvation to Transformation. It can be ordered from major booksellers online.

Photo: Shealah Craighead / ©2024 BGEA