Stand in Faith

Daniel 10 NIV

There are seasons when prayers seem unanswered, strength begins to fade, and it feels like heaven has gone silent. You keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping, but nothing appears to change. Daniel understood that tension. After weeks of seeking God with no visible breakthrough, he discovered that even when he could not see it, God was still at work. He works in ways beyond our understanding, even in the unseen battles we cannot perceive. And when our strength runs out, His presence meets us in our weakness.

1. What have you been praying for for which you are still waiting on an answer to come?

2. Daniel fasted for twenty-one days, not a complete fast as we think of it, but the putting away of certain distractions, things that brought him pleasure and approval. What is distracting you from committing yourself to prayer and waiting in faith?

3. Read Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 9:28-36; Revelation 1:12-17 — What were the reactions of the men in these viewings of God’s glory?

       a. What did seeing God’s glory result in?

       b. Was there anything that clouded their view of God’s glory?

       c. Where have you seen God’s glory?

       d. What did the experience change in you or prompt you to do?

4. Read 2 Kings 17:14-15; Jonah 2:8; Luke 12:6-7; Luke 15:20-24 — Since God cares more about you than you do, what does that mean when you run yourself down, allow others to determine your worth, or when you turn to things other than God for help?

5. Skim Joshua chapters 1-11— How many times does God tell Joshua, the great conqueror, Moses’ protégé, “Do not be afraid”?

       a. How many times do you think God said some version of “Do not fear” in order to encourage his people in the Bible? (God said it to: Abraham, Hagar, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Hezekiah, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Daniel, Joseph the father of Jesus, women at the tomb, the disciples, Zechariah, Mary, Paul, John, and others.)

       b. If even the “great saints” were afraid, what does that tell us about our fear and God’s view of us when we are afraid?

6. Read 2 Kings 6:12-23- Describe a time God opened your eyes to what was going on behind the scenes.

7. Have you noticed when God has slowly brought you along to grow your trust in him, just like the soldiers with their parachuting dogs? What was that like?

8. Pastor Hinz said that persisting in prayer is an acknowledgement that God is the only answer you have. How does this encourage you to keep praying?