Contemplative Bible Reading

Daniel 10:10-14 (New Living Translation)

10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.

12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”

Notice the (hi)story:

1. Daniel prayed humbly
2. An angel was dispatched to meet Daniel
3. The spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia intercepted that angel
4. Michael, an archangel, battled this spirit prince
5. This freed the first angel to come to Daniel

Allow me to shrink and cringe at the thought of my puny prayers. Have I ever prayed in a manner that caused anything like this?