Why is it that Daniel's prayers were heard?  Why was he such an effective leader for the people of Israel?  How did he have so much power to influence the kings of Babylon?  The secret is revealed to us in Daniel 10:12 when an angel spoke to Daniel and told him why: Daniel set his heart to understand the things of God, and he humbled himself.  Daniel had a desire to know the Lord, and the Lord does not turn away the heart that is seeking to truly understand Him.  And as we examine Daniel's life, he never really fought for himself – believing that he was someone important.  Rather, he always fought for God.  When he refused to eat the food sacrificed to idols, and when he continued praying as usual even though such prayers were banned, Daniel was proving that his love for the Lord and that every one of his efforts was for bringing glory to Him.  Is your heart set to understanding the things of God?  Do you spend time with Him on a regular basis – meeting him in prayer and personal study and meditation?  Do you have humility before the Lord – approaching Him as an orphan in a foreign land who is in need of redemption?  To do so is to be like Daniel.