21 The Numbered Days of Daniel’s Prayer and Fasting

Twenty-one represented my basketball number during my junior and high school years. Why I picked it, I don’t remember. Little did I know the significance it would hold for me as I learned about this number in the book of Daniel.

My church entered 21 Days of Prayer a few days ago. We gather morning and evening for prayer. What do you pray about for 21 days? Everything and everyone everywhere. Why pray? Does God hear our prayers? We firmly believe He hears and answers!

There is nothing magical about numbers, but numbers hold significance in the Bible and meaning with God. We can learn some lessons from Daniel’s numbered 21 days.

The Book of Daniel is a fascinating record of Daniel's life, dedication to God, and rise to authority in a foreign land. He is known for his ability to interpret dreams. A gift God gave Daniel while he served foreign kings. This gift caused some kings to desire to serve Daniel’s God.

He served under 4 kings over a span of 70 years, was spared by God in a lion’s den, and his three Hebrew friends were spared the fiery furnace, and promoted in the Syrian kingdom.

In Chapter 10 we read how Daniel was mourning for 3 full weeks, or 21 days. We know his diet consisted mostly of vegetables and water (1:12) and during this 3-week period we read he ate no pleasant food, nor meat, or wine, nor did he anoint himself.

For 21 days Daniel prayed and fasted asking God for answers. He discovered the prophecy of Jeremiah where at the end of 70 years, the Israelites would return to their homeland. They were at the end of that 70 years and Daniel wanted to see God move.

The revelation he received at the end of 21 days was astounding. The angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel more than once to reveal kingdoms, rulers, and events signifying the coming end.

Can we learn lessons from Daniel’s obedience to pray and fast? I believe we can!

1.     His knowledge of what the prophets wrote caused him to seek God over those words. (Chapter 9:1-3). He read the scrolls of Jeremiah and discovered the prophecy which declared that God would accomplish seventy years in the desolation of Jerusalem. That time had come and Daniel pressed in to pray for its fulfillment. We can also, press in and pray for the fulfillment of God’s word spoken over our lives through His living Word. Are there promises God has made you, yet you don’t see it yet? Set some time aside to pray and fast seeking Him for answers. The answers you receive may be better than your prayers.

2.     Daniel’s concern about his people, his home, and the present situation drove him to his knees. His prayer in Chapter 9:4-19 can become our prayer for the nation we live in and our people. I encourage you to pray this prayer and insert your nation, your state, and your community and watch God work.

3.     Daniel’s complete trust in God. We see this throughout his entire life, but especially as recorded in Chapter 6. Daniel’s faithfulness to worship God, while captive in a foreign land that worshiped multiple gods and practiced lawlessness, landed him in a lion’s den. There is no other explanation for his rescue and safety other than God’s divine protection through Daniel’s faith and truth in Jehovah. We live in a world today that is not kind to those who believe in Jesus. Yet, those who believe in Jesus must look for opportunities to be kind.

4.     His willingness to serve the ungodly through humility without compromising God’s commandments demonstrated his faith in God. This is especially seen in his friends’ confession in Chapter 3:8-18. Their words should ring in our hearts! “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and He will deliver us from your hand, O, king. But, if not, let it be known to you, O, king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up. When we are not ashamed of the Gospel, God is not ashamed of us.

The number 21, you see, numbered  Daniel’s days of fasting and prayer. He was looking for an answer to the release of his people. What he received far outweighed what he could have imagined. You may not have an angelic visitation when you fast and pray, but you will receive revelation from God concerning your prayers. God answers prayers!

Don’t give up. We read in Daniel 10 that Gabriel told Daniel that he heard his prayers the first day he prayed, but was hindered fighting with the king of Persia and other demonic forces in the heavens. We don’t sometimes know what we are up against, but thank God, He does and fights for us as we fight on our knees.

Until next time, remember, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.

Dr. Michele

August 11, 2024