I came across this while reading this morning. Since the main topic in last nights small group bible study was prayer, it seemed to fit. I feel led to put this here for all to see.
Daniel 11:12, 13
[i]The Angel continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.”[/i]
Daniel was given a vision of a great war and he was praying to God to give him wisdom and understanding of the vision. He did not get an answer right away, in fact, it was more than 3 weeks later that the Angel appeared to him.
At the bottom of the page, my bible* suggests that “Although God sent a messenger to Daniel, a powerful spiritual being (“prince of the Persian kingdom”) detained the messenger for three weeks. Daniel faithfully continued praying and fasting, and God’s messenger eventually arrived, assisted by Michael, the archangel. Answers to our prayers may be hindered by unseen obstacles. Don’t expect God’s answers to come too easily or too quickly. Prayer may be challenged by evil forces, so pray fervently and pray earnestly. Then expect God to answer at the right time.”
* the Life Application Study Bible
You are so right about what the Bible says about patience. That’s a major struggle with me. I’m glad you’ve said something about it too. Thank you.