There are unseen battles raging all around us.
Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Lesson:The fulfillment of God's promises doesn't come without a fight, and the enemy doesn't fight fair.

Lesson: Fasting helps eliminate everyday distractions so we can focus in on matters of eternal importance.

Daniel's Example of Seeking After God:
Study, Prayer, Fasting, Assemble

Lesson: Earthly opposition to God's work is a sign of spiritual conflict in the heavenly realm.
"Answers to our prayers may be hindered by unseen obstacles. Don't expect God's answers to come to easily or too quickly. Prayer may be challenged by evil forces, so pray fervently and earnestly. Then expect God to answer at the right time." (Life Application Study Bible)

Satan's Plot --Disrupt God's Plan of Salvation
1. Stop the return from exile.
2. Stop the rebuilding of the temple.
3. Stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
4. Keep the Seed of the Woman (Jesus) from conquering the Serpent's earthly kingdom. (Genesis 3:15; Revelation12)

Notice the power of heaven's touch.
Daniel 10:10, 16,18; Mark 1:13; Hebrews 1:14; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
"God can bring us healing when we are hurt, peace when we are troubled, and strength when we are weak. Trust God to minister to you as he did to Daniel" (LASB). "Time and again the people of God are bowed to the ground, yet they are not destroyed because God continues to support and sustain them through the strengthening ministry of his own angels." (ESVSB).

Putting It All Together:
2 Corinthains 10:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:11-13; Ephesians 6:10-18; Romans 8:31ff