Daniel 9:20-23

Prayer answered.

We have here a lifting of the veil which commonly hides from our view the processes which connect our prayers with God's replies. The revelation thus made of the unseen world should confirm our faith in the necessity and power of prayer, and help us to understand in some way the manner in which God answers it.

I. GOD GIVES SOME BLESSINGS ONLY IN RESPONSE TO PRAYER . The blessing was given to Daniel immediately he prayed, but not till then. Probably if the prayer had been offered sooner, the response also would have been enjoyed sooner. There are many good things which we lose simply because we do not pray for them ( James 4:2 ).

1 . This is not contrary to the idea of the universality and unchangeable character of natural law.

2 . This is not contrary to the wisdom and goodness of God. God knows what we need before we ask him ( Matthew 6:8 ). Yet there may be things which it is wise and right for God to give after we have asked for them, but which it is not right or wise for him to ,.ire before we have prayed, because our recognition of the need of them and our trust to God for them, may be important conditions for the right reception of them ( Matthew 7:7-11 ).

II. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER ACTIVELY AND PROMPTLY . Prayer is not merely a subjective act soothing and relieving the soul. Even the subjective influence of it depends on our faith in its real efficacy. We should not be comforted by prayer if we did not believe that God heard and answered it.

1. God hears prayer. Prayer is not only the breathing out of our souls. It is talking to a God who hears, attends, and sympathizes ( Isaiah 41:17 ).

2 . God acts in response to prayer. Gabriel is sent by God, and Daniel receives new light. We may find, especially in spiritual matters, that there is a real exertion of energy on God's side in response to prayer. He is not a passive hearer of prayer. His answers are not the mere echoes of sympathy. They carry active aid ( Psalms 91:15 ).

3 . God answers prayer promptly. Daniel prays, "Defer not." God does not defer. The answer is sent at the very beginning of the supplication," and Gabriel is "caused to fly swiftly." God is too powerful to need to delay, and too merciful to be willing to delay. If we do not receive the answers to our prayers quickly, it is not because God is slow, but because the time at which the blessing is to be given is one of the conditions of its utility. Still, the decree goes forth at once, and begins to be accomplished in due time ( Habakkuk 2:3 ).

III. GOD 'S RESPONSE TO PRAYER IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WILL AND PROVIDENTIAL ORDER .

1 . The manner in which the answer is made does not imply any breach in the order of providence. The angel is sent to communicate knowledge to Daniel. This, according to Scripture, is the normal method of spiritual help ( Hebrews 1:14 ).

2 . The substance of the answer is in harmony with God ' s will and the order of his providence. Daniel prays for the restoration of his people. God answers the prayer by revealing the already settled purpose of this restoration. God often answers prayer in a different way from our expectation. Sometimes he opens our eyes to blessings already given, but not recognized ( Genesis 21:19 ). Sometimes he changes our desires, and inclines our hearts to rest in his will by showing us that it is better than our will. The best prayer is that in which we seek to be reconciled to the will of God ( Matthew 26:39 ).