“Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.” (Daniel 10:12)
In the busyness of our daily lives, does prayer really matter? In the center of a huge family or work decision, does prayer really matter? Some people think God already has decided what will happen and the result won’t change because of one person’s plea or request. Why do you pray? Is it a duty that a good Christian is “supposed” to do, so you do it? Or do you really believe that God hears the prayers of His people and listens to the requests of those who pray according to His will to be done? What is the importance of prayer?
In looking at Daniel 10 and the Vision of the Glorious One, we see the experience that Daniel had with prayer and how his prayer-life was transformed through the visions he saw. Here are some great reasons why prayer is important and I hope this will encourage you to pray more often, pray more expectantly, and make prayer the first thing you do in every situation you encounter (whether good or bad).
First, God hears the prayers of his people. This verse makes it clear that God hears the prayers of his people. When we pray, God listens, and he is always aware of our needs and concerns.
Second, Prayer should be done humbly. This verse also emphasizes the importance of humbleness in prayer. When we come to God in prayer, we must do so with a humble and contrite heart.
Third, Prayer is powerful. This verse shows us that prayer is powerful and can lead to responses from God. Especially in difficult situations where we feel overwhelmed and helpless, we must pray and trust in God’s power and sovereignty.
Finally, Prayer should be persistent. In this passage, Daniel had prayed for three weeks before receiving an answer from God. This teaches us the importance of persistence in prayer. We must keep on praying, even if we don’t see immediate results.
So throughout each day, as you face many uncertainties in this world, remember the One constant is that God is unchangeable and His love, mercy, and grace towards you is always available. Is your heart ready to receive all that He has to give to you? Turn to God in prayer, not just as a “last ditch” option, but rather your first and foremost natural reaction to wanting to communicate and have fellowship with the Creator who loves you personally.