When Does God Answer Prayer?

Text: Daniel 9:20-22

 "And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD My God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give Thee skill and understanding.”

Introduction 

There is a misunderstanding on the subject of God answering prayer. There are people who say answers to prayer depend on God, whilst others say it depends on the believer. Some say God may answer some prayers and not answer others. But what does the Bible say on this subject? Well, we shall look at three points today:

1.God Answers Prayer Instantly.

Daniel 9:23 says, "At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.”

Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

When you pray to God, He answers at the time of prayer. To every prayer or request, there is an answer that is available. The angel Gabriel told Daniel that he was given a command to bring an answer in the beginning of supplication. It is said that the manifestation of Daniel’s answer took three minutes. Mark tells us to believe that we receive at the time of prayer.  He says if you do that, you will have whatever you desire.

2. What Hinders An Instant Manifestation to Your Prayer?

Daniel 10:2-3 says, “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”

In this scripture we find that Daniel prayed for three weeks before seeing the manifestation of the answer. It is the same Daniel praying to the same God he prayed to in Chapter 9. We hear the Angel speaking to Daniel in Chapter 10:10-11, “And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling."

But why does the manifestation take 3 minutes in one prayer and 3 weeks in another? Well, the Angel Gabriel gave an answer in Daniel 10:12-13, “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.”

There is a demonic opposition. Daniel did not know why the answer delayed. But even if he knew, he could not do anything because in the Old Testament, Satan had power over human beings. They just waited for God’s intervention. We will see the difference with the New Testament as we continue. So man did not have power over demons in the Old Testament. So your prayers are opposed. That means that the manifestation is hindered.

3. What to Do When The Manifestation is Hindered?

Whether or not we receive answers to our prayers, God is not the variable. That means God has already answered your prayers in the spirit realm. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He never changes. What He has done for one, he can do for anyone else. He answered both of Daniel’s prayers instantly.

In the Old Testament, Daniel looked forward in faith to what Jesus would do. In the New Testament, we look back in faith to what God has already done through Christ. Faith is the bridge for receiving from God. Daniel did not move out of faith and quit praying. Had he quit praying and believing, he could have not received his answer.

We learn that if you keep your faith and confession, you will see the manifestation to your prayer. God does things according to the power that is at work in us according to Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us"

Our faith is the bridge through which God’s provision reaches us. God is a Spirit, so He moves in the spirit realm to supply whatever we need. In the New Testament, God has given us authority and power. So you have a responsibility according to James 4:7, which says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." 

You must submit to God and resist the devil. You don’t have to passively wait for God to do something for you. He has already played His part. 

Conclusion

Don’t be deceived by the enemy into believing that God answers prayer at His own time. And that at times He chooses either or not to answer. God always answers instantly. It is our responsibility to receive from Him by faith.

God has already moved by His grace in the spirit realm. We need to manifest his supplies into the physical realm.