Your Answer is Not Delayed, It is Being Fought — by Apostle Dr. Michael Mband
In a powerful message delivered on Day 17 of a spiritual series, Apostle Dr. Michael Mband shares deep insights on why many prayers seem unanswered and what believers need to understand about the spiritual realities behind answered prayers.
God Delights in Your Prosperity
Apostle Michael begins by assuring believers that God delights in the prosperity of His servants. It is impossible for God, who takes pleasure in our well-being and success, to refuse answering prayers made in alignment with His will. Every prayer that is made within the covenant of God, within His promises, and with a clear purpose that glorifies God is guaranteed to be answered. He stresses that such prayers must fulfill God’s covenant, conform to His promises (like the promise made to Abraham for a son), and carry a scriptural purpose that benefits God’s kingdom and His people.
Why Are Prayers Not Answered?
Apostle Michael explains that unanswered prayers often fall into three main categories:
- Prayer Outside God’s Will: Prayers must be within the covenant, promise, and purpose of God’s Word. Praying outside these boundaries limits blessings.
- Sin as a Barrier: Sin creates separation between believers and God, hindering the effectiveness of prayer.
- Scriptures like Isaiah 59:1-2 and Psalm 66:18 remind us that unrepented sin leads to God’s refusal to hear prayers. Spiritual Warfare and the Devil's Opposition: This is the hardest part. Even when prayers reach God’s throne and blessings are released, the enemy—Satan—will oppose them through spiritual warfare. Apostle Michael highlights Daniel 10:10-13, where an angel explains that prayer was heard immediately but the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” resisted for 21 days until Michael helped. This spiritual opposition means that breakthroughs are often contested battles.
The Need for Persistent Spiritual Warfare
Apostle Michael emphasizes that prayers must not only be made but guarded with persistent spiritual warfare, which he calls the "prayer of vengeance." This prayer defends the blessings and breakthroughs from the devil’s interception and stealing. He likens unanswered breakthroughs to consignments stuck at customs—if not followed up and protected, they can be lost or stolen. Believers must pray persistently, tracing their blessings from the moment they are released in heaven until they manifest on earth.
Standing Firm and Praying with Power
He exhorts believers to stand firm against the devil’s tactics, who uses lies, deception, and distractions to cause discouragement and abandonment of prayers. When we do not continue to pray for our requests to be delivered, we end up making Satan richer by abandoning what God has already released for us. Apostle Michael encourages the faithful to pray with resolve, holding onto God's promises and repelling every hindrance.
Scriptural Foundation and Encouragement
Throughout the message, Apostle Michael uses key scriptures to remind believers of God’s faithfulness:
- Matthew 7:7-8 - “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened.”
- John 14:13-14 and 16:23-24 - God will do whatever is asked in Jesus’ name.
- Isaiah 65:24 - God will answer before you even call.
- 1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in answered prayers according to God’s will.
- Ecclesiastes 8:11 - The necessity of executing judgment and vengeance spiritually for evil works.
Conclusion
Apostle Dr. Michael Mband’s message is a clarion call to believers to deepen their understanding of prayer, covenant, holiness, and spiritual warfare. He makes it clear that answers to prayers are never delayed but often contested in the spiritual realm, requiring believers to engage persistently in prayer and fasting—to pray prayers of vengeance that ensure blessings reach them intact. This teaching boldly encourages all Christians to live righteously, pray scripturally aligned prayers, and relentlessly engage in spiritual warfare, knowing God is faithful, and their breakthroughs are certain if they do not give up.
