Can Demons Block Your Prayers?
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
📜 Key Passage: Daniel 10:12–14 (KJV)
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
🧠 Detailed Breakdown
1. “From the first day… your words were heard” (v. 12)
- Daniel’s prayer was heard immediately. This affirms that God hears the prayers of the faithful right away.
- Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.”
- 1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
- There is no delay on God’s end—the delay occurred in the spiritual realm.
2. “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days” (v. 13)
- This is often interpreted as a demonic being or territorial spirit influencing or ruling over Persia. It resisted an angelic messenger, suggesting spiritual opposition.
- This “prince” is not a human king, as he can oppose an angel and must be battled by Michael, another supernatural being.
- Implication: There is spiritual warfare in the unseen realm that can delay the delivery or outcome of divine messages or interventions—even when prayers are already answered.
3. “Michael… came to help me”
- Michael is described as one of the chief princes (archangels) and helps the angel overcome the resistance.
- This implies a hierarchy of angelic beings involved in warfare, reinforcing the idea that there’s a cosmic battle behind the scenes of history and prayer.
4. “I came to make you understand”
- The purpose of the angelic visitation was revelation, not just to deliver an answer, but to impart understanding regarding a vision.
- The resistance delayed understanding, which could be paralleled with how believers sometimes wait for clarity or response from God despite persistent prayer.
📚 Other Relevant Scriptures
🧱 “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days.” This prince was not an earthly prince but a demonic “Principality” spirit being.
Not a human ruler — most likely a territorial prince demon:
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
- This verse confirms the existence of organized demonic opposition in the “heavenly places.”
- Suggests that spiritual warfare is real and believers are engaged in it—even if they can’t see it.
🙏 1 Thessalonians 2:18
“…we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.”
- Shows that Satan can obstruct even apostolic plans.
- While this is about travel, the principle of demonic hindrance to God’s purposes is affirmed.
⚔️ Is There a “Demonic Barrier”?
- YES, there is evidence of spiritual opposition that can delay or resist God’s messengers or purposes—Daniel 10 is the clearest example.
- However, prayers themselves are not blocked from reaching God—Daniel’s prayer was heard immediately – Day 1.
- The delay is in the manifestation of the answer or the delivery of revelation, not the hearing of the prayer by God.
🧎♂️ Application for Believers:
- Don’t lose heart if answers seem delayed—spiritual battles may be occurring beyond our perception.
- Be Persist in prayer, prayers made in your native language are heard both by God and demons who are on standby to block your prayers, but prayers made in tongues – (praying in the Holy Spirit or unknown tongues) are only heard by God no one including the devil has no knowledge of what you are praying about because when you pray in the Holy Spirit only God hears you!1 Corinthians 14:2 “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.”
You are speaking “mysteries” look ar verse 2. When you pray in tongues only God can hear and understand your prayers made in the Holy Spirit, this is why Jesus said that “believers would speak new tongues”
Mark 16:17 “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”
This new tongue is a heavenly language that only God can understand. Your heart or “spirit” is praying, but the words coming out of your mouth are utterances – (words) coming out of your mouth is the Holy Spirit speaking through your tongue.
Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Praying in tongues is the Holy Spirit praying perfect prayers through you! God wants every believer praying in tongues read 1 Corinthians 13:5 “ I would that ye all spake with tongues…”
God wants you filled with the Holy Spirit so you can begin praying perfect divine prayers.
- Acts 9:17 “And Ananias went away and entered into the house; and having laid the hands upon him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, the One having appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me that you may see again and be filled of the Holy Spirit.”
- Jude 1:20 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,”
Luke 18:1–8
“1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing” - Engage in spiritual warfare with faith, truth, righteousness, and the Word.Ephesians 6:13–18
“13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
- Prayer was heard immediately from day 1.
- Unseen spiritual resistance delayed the answer to Daniel’s prayer.
- Spiritual warfare took place between angelic and demonic beings for 21 days.
- Victory came through divine assistance (Michael) and persistence (Daniel’s prayer).
📬 God Hears the Prayers of the Righteous (Daniel 10:12)
- “From the first day… your words were heard.”
- God is attentive and immediate in response.
- Cross-reference:Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.”
1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
Application:
Don’t assume silence means neglect. God hears you from Day One.
⚔️ Unseen Spiritual Resistance is Real (Daniel 10:13)
- “The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days.” This prince was not an earthly prince but a demonic “Principality”
- Not a human ruler — most likely a territorial prince demon:
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” - Shows that demonic powers can oppose God’s purposes and delay breakthroughs.
Application:
Answers may be delayed because of spiritual battles, not because of lack of faith or divine disapproval.
🛡️ Spiritual Warfare Requires Reinforcement (Daniel 10:13–14)
- Michael the Archangel comes to help.
- God’s kingdom is actively engaged in overcoming opposition.
- The angel could not get through without help, showing the intensity of warfare.
Application:
Our prayers co-labor with God’s angelic forces. Prayer is not passive — it’s warfare.
🙏 Perseverance in Prayer Matters (Daniel 10:2 & 12)
- Daniel fasted and mourned for three weeks 21 days, the exact time the angel was battling the principality.
- Persistent prayer may align with spiritual breakthroughs.
- Jesus taught this in Luke 18:1 “always pray and never give up.”
Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”
Application:
Never give up in prayer. Your breakthrough may be just beyond the resistance. Begin praying in the Holy Spirit, Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and pray!
🕊️ God Ultimately Delivers Understanding and Victory (v. 14)
- The angel does arrive with the message.
- Spiritual conflict did not prevent God’s plan from unfolding.
- Revelation comes, but on God’s timing, not ours.
Application:
God’s plan is not defeated by resistance. Delay ≠ Denial.
🎯 Conclusion
- There’s no “barrier” that God cannot overcome or break to answer your prayers.
- The battle may rage, but God always wins when you are persistent in prayer.
- Stand firm. Pray on. Help is already on the way!