“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” Daniel 10:13

In olden days, out of instinct of preservation and fear of sudden attacks, cities were fenced with thick walls, equipped with strong gates and 24h a day watchmen had responsibilities to keep them and alert in case they see from afar any gathering that suggested that enemies were coming. Given that everything we have in the physical is but a replica of spiritual realities, it will surprise no one if we say that spiritually, the world is divided into zones and territories controlled by some principalities. Thus, living in those environments and overlooking the constant wars between the forces of God and the representatives of the evil world can be costly to Christians.

Living in some geographical areas, many Christians have been praying for years over certain matters and they are yet to see the result. This is not necessarily because it has not pleased God to answer them. In fact, answers to some of their prayers were delivered a very long time ago but have been hijacked by antagonistic forces. The situation described in our memory verse, where the answer to Daniel’s prayer was already sent since the first day but which took 21 days to eventually reach him, perfectly illustrates this truth.

How many of us, when we settle in a new location, do take time to conquer the gates of the place? When we enter a new house, a new quarter, a new town, do we dedicate time in praying and sometimes in fasting to redeem that environment and put it under the full control of the Almighty God? In the animal reign, dogs, cats, lions, etc. are known for marking their territories. These are good teachers we Christians can potentially learn from. Spiritually, we must mark our spaces, possess the gates and spiritually engage in the warfare that will take us to possessing our possessions.

This week, take one or two days to fast and pray and spiritually deal with the strongholds and the principalities that created an iron sky over your head and prevented your answered prayers from being delivered to you. Pray and say: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the king of glory shall come in” (Psalms 24:7). Pray and collect back your hijacked blessings! Amen!