If you’ve ever prayed and felt like heaven was silent, you’re not alone. Many of us assume that if God doesn’t answer right away, the answer must be “no.” But what if that delay has less to do with God—and more to do with spiritual opposition? Read on to find out if demons can actually disrupt your prayers…

In Daniel 10, we find one of the most fascinating (and yes, strange) stories in the Bible. It opens a window into the unseen world of spiritual warfare, showing us how angels and demons are at work even in the process of prayer.

Daniel’s Three-Week Fast

Daniel had lived most of his life in Babylon, far from the Jerusalem of his youth. Longing for understanding about his people’s future, he set aside three weeks for prayer and fasting.

Daniel 10:2-3 – In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

For 21 days, Daniel sought God with intensity and persistence. Then, at last, an angel appeared before him. He had linen clothing, a belt of gold, eyes like torches, a face like lightning, and a voice like the roar of a multitude (Daniel 10:5–6).

Daniel was shocked- and when you read what the angel said, you’ll be shocked as well.

The Prince of Persia

Daniel 10:12-13 – From the first day that you set your heart to understand… your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me.

In other words, Daniel’s prayer was heard the moment he prayed it. God sent the answer right away. But a demonic being—described as the prince of Persia—blocked the angel’s path for three weeks. Only with the help of Michael the archangel did the answer finally break through.

This “prince of Persia” wasn’t a human ruler. No king or emperor could stop an angel of God in the heavenly realm. Instead, this was a powerful spiritual entity—a fallen angel assigned to the region of Persia, influencing its rulers and opposing God’s people.

What This Means for Prayer

The implications of this passage are huge. It shows us that:

1. God hears our prayers immediately. The angel tells Daniel that his words were heard on the first day.
2. Spiritual resistance is real. Demonic forces can hinder the answers from reaching us.
3. Persistence matters. Daniel kept praying and fasting for 21 days. If he had given up on day 20, he might never have received his answer.

This passage reminds us that prayer is not a casual activity. It’s an act of war in the spiritual realm. Angels and demons battle over God’s purposes and over the lives of His people, and prayer tips the scales.

To us, Daniel 10 might feel strange. But in reality, it reveals what’s normal in the spiritual realm. Angels and demons are engaged in ongoing conflict. Principalities and powers (see Ephesians 6:12) influence nations, leaders, and even individuals.

We don’t always see it—but we participate in it when we pray.

Why Fasting Matters

It’s significant that Daniel didn’t just pray; he also fasted. Jesus Himself taught that some battles require both prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29).

Daniel’s story shows that fasting is not a “last resort” but a powerful discipline that strengthens our prayers. It’s a way of aligning ourselves more fully with God’s will and pushing back against spiritual resistance.

Don’t Give Up

The biggest takeaway from Daniel 10 is simple: don’t stop praying.

Imagine if Daniel had prayed for two weeks and six days and then quit. The angel was right above him with the answer—delayed, but still on the way. If Daniel had stopped, he might never have known that God had already said “yes.”

How many times have we done the same? How many answers were just beyond our reach when we gave up too soon?

Jesus told His disciples a parable in Luke 18 “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” That lesson is just as important today.

Daniel 10 isn’t a weird story. It’s a window into the normal reality of spiritual warfare—and an encouragement that our prayers matter more than we realize.

Want to listen to a podcast episode on this subject? The Weird Stuff in the Bible podcast has several episodes on spiritual warfare- start right here!