Seeking Breakthroughs Through Prayer and Fasting

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the concept of breakthroughs and how they are essential for overcoming the setbacks and stalemates in our lives. A breakthrough is a sudden, dramatic, and important advance, and it can occur in various areas such as relationships, careers, health, and spirituality. We often find ourselves in need of a breakthrough when we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or outnumbered. The key to experiencing a breakthrough is to actively seek it through prayer and fasting, as demonstrated by biblical figures like David and Jehoshaphat.

God often uses pain and challenges to get our attention and prepare us for breakthroughs. Pain can be a catalyst for change, pushing us to seek God more earnestly. Proverbs 20:30 reminds us that sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. When we are in distress, overwhelmed, or confused, it is an opportunity to turn to God and seek His guidance and intervention.

The Bible provides us with a blueprint for seeking breakthroughs through prayer and fasting. David, when faced with overwhelming odds, sought the Lord in prayer and received guidance and victory. Similarly, Jehoshaphat, when confronted by a vast army, resolved to seek the Lord, proclaimed a fast, and experienced a miraculous victory. These stories teach us the importance of refocusing on God, making a conscious choice to seek Him, and demonstrating our seriousness through fasting.

Philippians 4:6-8 outlines four habits that can lead to breakthroughs: don't worry about anything, pray about everything, thank God in all things, and stay focused on true things. Worry is a form of control that doesn't change anything, but prayer does. Gratitude is the breakthrough attitude, and by focusing on God's truth, we can counteract the lies and fears that lead to worry.

As we embark on this journey of seeking breakthroughs, let us remember that God is ready to carry our worries and cares. By praying and fasting, we align ourselves with His will and open the door for His miraculous intervention in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Nature of Breakthroughs: Breakthroughs are sudden, dramatic advances that can occur in various aspects of life. They often follow periods of pain or challenge, which God uses to get our attention and prepare us for change. Pain can be a catalyst for seeking God more earnestly and experiencing a breakthrough. [02:30]

2. Seeking Breakthroughs Through Prayer and Fasting: Breakthroughs typically happen when we actively seek them through prayer and fasting. Biblical figures like David and Jehoshaphat demonstrate the power of seeking God in times of distress, leading to miraculous victories. [07:00]

3. The Role of Pain in Breakthroughs: Pain and challenges can be God's way of preparing us for breakthroughs. Proverbs 20:30 highlights that painful experiences can lead to necessary changes in our lives, pushing us to seek God more earnestly. [03:24]

4. Four Habits for Breakthroughs: Philippians 4:6-8 outlines four habits for breakthroughs: don't worry about anything, pray about everything, thank God in all things, and stay focused on true things. These habits help us align with God's will and open the door for His intervention. [19:28]

5. The Power of Group Prayer and Fasting: There is significant power in group prayer and fasting. When we come together as a church family to seek God, we create a fortified place of support and prayer, amplifying the impact of our petitions to God. [27:31]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - The Power of Prayer
- [00:41] - Seeking a Breakthrough
- [01:14] - Understanding Breakthroughs
- [02:00] - Setbacks vs. Breakthroughs
- [02:30] - Personal and Spiritual Breakthroughs
- [03:10] - Pain as a Catalyst
- [04:08] - Overcoming Confusion and Overwhelm
- [05:05] - Identifying Areas for Breakthrough
- [06:28] - Actively Seeking Breakthroughs
- [07:00] - Prayer and Fasting
- [08:20] - Biblical Examples of Breakthroughs
- [09:32] - David's Breakthrough
- [13:09] - Jehoshaphat's Breakthrough
- [17:32] - Four Habits for Breakthroughs
- [19:28] - Implementing the Habits
- [27:31] - The Power of Group Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Breakthroughs

Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 20:30 - "Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways."
2. Philippians 4:6-8 - "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
3. 2 Chronicles 20:3 - "Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah."

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Observation Questions:

1. What are some examples of breakthroughs mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ from setbacks? [01:14]

2. How did David respond when he was faced with overwhelming odds, according to the sermon? [11:03]

3. What role does pain play in preparing us for breakthroughs, as discussed in the sermon? [03:24]

4. According to Philippians 4:6-8, what are the four habits that can lead to breakthroughs?

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that pain can be a catalyst for seeking God more earnestly? [03:24]

2. In what ways did Jehoshaphat demonstrate his seriousness about seeking God during a crisis? [15:12]

3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between worry and prayer, and why is prayer considered more effective? [22:21]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the power of group prayer and fasting in seeking breakthroughs? [27:31]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a breakthrough in your life. What role did prayer and fasting play in that experience, if any? [06:28]

2. Identify an area in your life where you feel stuck or overwhelmed. How can you apply the four habits from Philippians 4:6-8 to seek a breakthrough in that area? [19:28]

3. The sermon mentions that pain can be a catalyst for change. How can you view a current challenge in your life as an opportunity for a breakthrough? [03:24]

4. How can you incorporate group prayer and fasting into your routine to support others in your church community seeking breakthroughs? [27:31]

5. Consider a worry that has been consuming your thoughts. How can you shift your focus from worry to prayer, as suggested in the sermon? [22:21]

6. What practical steps can you take this week to refocus on God and seek His guidance in an area where you need a breakthrough? [14:40]

7. How can you cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your daily life, and how might this impact your ability to experience breakthroughs? [20:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Breakthroughs as Catalysts for Change
Breakthroughs are sudden, dramatic advances that often follow periods of pain or challenge. These moments of significant change can occur in various aspects of life, such as relationships, careers, health, and spirituality. Pain and challenges are often used by God to get our attention and prepare us for these breakthroughs. When we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or outnumbered, it is an opportunity to turn to God and seek His guidance. Pain can be a catalyst for seeking God more earnestly, as Proverbs 20:30 reminds us that sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. By embracing these challenges, we open ourselves to the possibility of a breakthrough. [02:30]

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: What current challenge or pain in your life might God be using to prepare you for a breakthrough? How can you embrace this as an opportunity for growth and change today?


Day 2: Seeking Breakthroughs Through Prayer and Fasting
Breakthroughs typically happen when we actively seek them through prayer and fasting. Biblical figures like David and Jehoshaphat demonstrate the power of seeking God in times of distress, leading to miraculous victories. David, when faced with overwhelming odds, sought the Lord in prayer and received guidance and victory. Similarly, Jehoshaphat, when confronted by a vast army, resolved to seek the Lord, proclaimed a fast, and experienced a miraculous victory. These stories teach us the importance of refocusing on God, making a conscious choice to seek Him, and demonstrating our seriousness through fasting. By aligning ourselves with God's will through these practices, we open the door for His miraculous intervention in our lives. [07:00]

2 Chronicles 20:3-4 (ESV): "Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need a breakthrough? How can you incorporate prayer and fasting into your routine this week to seek God's guidance and intervention?


Day 3: Embracing Pain as Preparation for Breakthroughs
Pain and challenges can be God's way of preparing us for breakthroughs. Proverbs 20:30 highlights that painful experiences can lead to necessary changes in our lives, pushing us to seek God more earnestly. When we are in distress, overwhelmed, or confused, it is an opportunity to turn to God and seek His guidance and intervention. By understanding that pain can be a catalyst for change, we can embrace it as a necessary step towards experiencing a breakthrough. This perspective allows us to see challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities for growth and transformation. [03:24]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective to see current challenges as opportunities for growth? What steps can you take today to embrace these challenges as preparation for a breakthrough?


Day 4: Habits for Breakthroughs
Philippians 4:6-8 outlines four habits that can lead to breakthroughs: don't worry about anything, pray about everything, thank God in all things, and stay focused on true things. Worry is a form of control that doesn't change anything, but prayer does. Gratitude is the breakthrough attitude, and by focusing on God's truth, we can counteract the lies and fears that lead to worry. These habits help us align with God's will and open the door for His intervention. By cultivating these habits, we create an environment in our lives that is conducive to experiencing breakthroughs. [19:28]

Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: Which of the four habits outlined in Philippians 4:6-8 do you struggle with the most? How can you intentionally practice this habit today to align yourself with God's will?


Day 5: The Power of Group Prayer and Fasting
There is significant power in group prayer and fasting. When we come together as a church family to seek God, we create a fortified place of support and prayer, amplifying the impact of our petitions to God. The collective faith and unity of a group can lead to powerful breakthroughs, as seen in the stories of David and Jehoshaphat. By joining together in prayer and fasting, we not only support one another but also demonstrate our collective seriousness in seeking God's intervention. This communal approach can lead to miraculous outcomes and strengthen the bonds within the church community. [27:31]

Acts 12:5-7 (ESV): "So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, 'Get up quickly.' And the chains fell off his hands."

Reflection: How can you engage with your church community in group prayer and fasting this week? What specific breakthrough can you collectively seek God's intervention for as a community?

Quotes

"God often uses pain to get our attention and God often uses pain to prepare us for a breakthrough so if you're in pain right now, congratulations you may be getting ready for a breakthrough in the Bible says this in Proverbs 20:30 sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways." [00:02:52]

"Breakthroughs happen generally when you seek them they don't just happen spontaneously you get a breakthrough in your life when you seek a breakthrough I've talked hundreds of thousands of people who were stuck in certain positions and in order to get through that breakthrough they had to do some certain things to actually seek it." [00:06:15]

"David heard the news and he moved to his fortified place now that's a good thing you ought to you ought to have a a a fortified place do you have one when you're under attack when times are tough when you don't know which way to turn when you feel like everything's against you what's your fortified place." [00:10:01]

"David sought the Lord in prayer and he asked uh should I go fight these Philistines uh will you give them over to me now here's an important lesson of life never fight a battle without asking God first a legal battle a financial battle a relational battle a battle at work." [00:11:29]

"Jehoshaphat resolved to seek the Lord now we're going to come back to this but notice he doesn't stay afraid instead he switches from being focused on his worries to focusing on the lord it's a resolution it's a choice and I'm going to teach you how to do this how you can break the habit of worry in your life." [00:14:31]

"Paul says under the inspiration of God there are four things you need to do if you're going to have a breakthrough let me read you that passage okay here's what Philippians 468 says don't worry about anything but pray instead in everything by prayer and petition in with Thanksgiving present your requests to God." [00:17:32]

"Gratitude is the Breakthrough attitude the more grateful you are the more breakthroughs you're going to have in life and then number four he says stay focused on true things don't worry about anything pray about everything thank God in all things stay focused on true things every day you have to counteract the lies that you hear around you." [00:20:12]

"Worry is focusing on my fears instead of God that's what it is worry is focusing on my fears instead of God worry is practical atheism when you worry you're acting like an orphan you're acting like you don't have a heavenly father who's promised to care for your needs." [00:22:59]

"Thinking that is controlled by my sinful nature leads to death but thinking controlled by the spirit leads to life and peace so you have to choose your focus if I'm going to think the way I normally think I'm going to get worried I'm going to get fearful I'm going to get anxious." [00:24:10]

"Daniel 9:3 he says I turned to the Lord that's I switched my focus I turned to the Lord and I plead Ed with him in prayer and fasting that's how you stop worry you get the focus off the problem and you get the focus on God you know that when Daniel was there praying." [00:26:19]

"We fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us and he heard our prayer I want you to circle the word our he heard our prayer not my prayer he said our prayer they're praying together there is power in group prayer there is power in seeking God together." [00:27:03]

"Pray about everything pray about everything there's nothing too small to pray about there's nothing too big to pray about if it's worth worrying about it's worth praying about Philippians 4:6 Part B don't worry about anything instead pray about everything and just tell God what you need." [00:28:17]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?