Did Daniel have to fast and pray for 21 days? Daniel 10

[Follower3]

There are 3 major questions in this post. (split into more, smaller questions)

"2 In those days I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. 3 I ate no tasty food, nor did any meat or wine enter my mouth; and I did not a]">[a]anoint (refresh, groom) myself at all for the full three weeks."

First of all, what is tasty food? What exactly did he eat? Cabbage, and carrots? What is this "Tasty" food that he avoided? ( or "choice foods" in other translations) What are the foods he DID eat? Does mixing foods together in a meal make them no longer simple foods, does that then make them "tasty" if you add spices, etc?

Let's look at the next bit. An angel comes down, and speaks to him.

"12 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 But the e]">[e]prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days. Then, behold, Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is in regard to the days yet to come.”

His prayers were heard the first day, and an angel came in response to these words, so what did fasting, and praying for 21 days accomplish? Was it necessary?

It says he fought the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and a celestial being Michael helped him. Was he fighting satan/demons who were trying to stop him from delivering his message? WHY was an angel sent to talk to Daniel? Could God not simply answer his prayer directly? He speaks to people in the past directly, why not to Daniel?
Do angels always win when they are sent to answer prayers, and have to fight demons for 21 days?

Are angels always sent to fight demons, or was this a unique thing for Daniel? Is this the reason prayers seem like they are not always answered?

 

[Tolworth John]

Plain food was just that plain. Probably either just bread and water or a form of porridge and water. No meat, no vegitables, no spices and no wine or beer.

Why did he have to fast? Fasting is a way of showing that one is serious about this issue.
If one is prepared to not stop praying because its dinner time but carries on praying, show determination and commitment.

I've no idea about angels v demons.

 

[Hidden In Him]

His prayers were heard the first day, and an angel came in response to these words, so what did fasting, and praying for 21 days accomplish? Was it necessary?

Yes, it was necessary. The reason was because Daniel knew He was praying for prophetic revelation from God, revelation so powerful that we are still reading it to this day. Where Daniel himself was concerned, this requires a man of God to walk in humility, and humbling oneself was the purpose fasting served back in OT times, as well as today.

It says he fought the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and a celestial being Michael helped him. Was he fighting satan/demons who were trying to stop him from delivering his message? WHY was an angel sent to talk to Daniel? Could God not simply answer his prayer directly? He speaks to people in the past directly, why not to Daniel?

God has always used a variety of means, and this is an interesting question to ask. I'd have to spend some time seeking Him to be able to give you an answer here.

Do angels always win when they are sent to answer prayers, and have to fight demons for 21 days?

Eventually, yes. God allowed the delay to teach us a lesson in perseverance in prayer, which may in fact be the reason why He sent angels this time: Knowing that they would be hindered, and that Daniel would be forced to remain persistent in prayer.

Are angels always sent to fight demons, or was this a unique thing for Daniel? Is this the reason prayers seem like they are not always answered?

Another very interesting question, and one that can only be answered by analyzing each individual's motives and circumstances. In general I would say no, since most of the prayers believers pray today are more materialistic and self-centered, rather than having much genuine spiritual importance. But in some cases I can PROMISE you this is the case. It's a matter of whose prayers you are talking about.

God bless,
Hope this helps.

 

[1213]

...Are angels always sent to fight demons, or was this a unique thing for Daniel? Is this the reason prayers seem like they are not always answered?

I am not sure what was it all about, but I think feasting could help person to focus on right things. If person has lot of good and tasty food, it can distract and make person to think wrong things. That is why feasting may have been helpful in the Daniel case.