One woman says she keeps going to church even though sometimes it fails to inspire her. She says occasionally, it bores her or is an insult to her intelligence. But she says “on rare and wonderful occasions, it elevates, inspires, and transforms. I go back expecting that once again my own heart will be strangely and wonderfully warmed.” This woman, like Daniel the patriarch, found great reward spending time in God’s presence. In Daniel chapters 9 and 10 we find that he received great visions from God about things to come. He had spent much time studying the Scriptures, praying, and mourning for his people who were longing to go back home. His prayer was that God would keep the promise He made by Jeremiah that after 70 years, they could return to their homeland. This dedicated time alone with God paid off. We find in Daniel 10:12, a messenger came to tell Daniel, “I have come in answer to your prayer.” Answers to our prayers don’t always come quickly. Yet we can be sure that when we pray according to God’s word, God hears and will answer us in His own way at His own time.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
