Unlocking Breakthrough Prayer: Steps to Divine Intervention
Summary
In our journey through the 40 days of prayer, we delve into the concept of breakthrough prayer, a powerful form of communication with God that seeks His supernatural intervention in our lives. A breakthrough is when God steps into a situation that has been stagnant or challenging for a long time, bringing about change and resolution. We all have areas in our lives where we need a breakthrough, whether in relationships, finances, health, or personal struggles. The model for breakthrough prayer is found in the life of Daniel, a man of faith who prayed for nearly 70 years for the liberation of his people from captivity.
Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 of the book of Daniel provides us with six key steps to follow when seeking a breakthrough. The first step is to let God speak to us before we speak to Him, which involves immersing ourselves in His Word. The more we know the Bible, the more effectively we can pray, as we align our requests with God's promises. The second step is to focus our attention on God, seeking Him earnestly and diligently. This involves a heartfelt pursuit of God, ensuring that our desires align with His will.
The third step is to express our desires with emotion, pouring out our hearts to God with sincerity and passion. God is not interested in eloquence but in the authenticity of our prayers. The fourth step is to demonstrate our seriousness, which can be done through fasting or other acts of devotion that show God we mean business. The fifth step is to thank God for His love and promises, approaching Him with an attitude of gratitude. Finally, the sixth step is to humbly confess our sins, acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking God's mercy.
These steps are not just a formula but a way to deepen our relationship with God, ensuring that our prayers are not just wishes but heartfelt desires aligned with His will. As we persist in prayer, God hears us and responds in His perfect timing and way.
Key Takeaways:
- Let God Speak First: Before we present our requests, we must immerse ourselves in God's Word. This practice aligns our prayers with His promises, ensuring that we pray effectively and according to His will. The more we know the Bible, the more our prayers will be answered. [04:20]
- Seek God Earnestly: Our pursuit of God must be diligent and wholehearted. When we seek Him with all our hearts, we find Him, and He rewards our earnest seeking. This involves a sincere desire to know God and align our lives with His purposes. [07:34]
- Express Desires with Emotion: God values the sincerity and passion in our prayers over eloquence. When we pour out our hearts to Him, expressing our deepest desires and needs, we demonstrate our genuine dependence on Him. [11:29]
- Demonstrate Seriousness: Fasting and other acts of devotion show God that we are serious about our requests. These practices reflect our commitment and desperation for His intervention, indicating that we are willing to sacrifice for our breakthrough. [14:13]
- Confess Humbly: Acknowledging our sins and shortcomings is crucial in breakthrough prayer. God listens to humble confessions, and when we admit our need for His grace, we open the door for His mercy and intervention in our lives. [17:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:03] - Understanding Breakthrough Prayer
- [01:30] - Daniel's Example
- [02:30] - The Need for Breakthrough
- [03:12] - Step 1: Let God Speak First
- [06:38] - Step 2: Focus on God
- [10:28] - Step 3: Express Desires with Emotion
- [13:11] - Step 4: Demonstrate Seriousness
- [15:33] - Step 5: Thank God for His Love
- [16:54] - Step 6: Humbly Confess Sins
- [18:58] - God's Response to Prayer
- [21:18] - Persistence in Prayer
- [22:56] - Call to Action
- [23:46] - Steps Recap and Prayer
- [26:07] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Breakthrough Prayer
Bible Reading:
1. Daniel 9:2-4
2. John 15:7
3. Jeremiah 29:13
---
Observation Questions:
1. What was Daniel's initial approach to seeking a breakthrough in prayer according to Daniel 9:2-4? How did he prepare himself before praying? [03:32]
2. In John 15:7, what are the two conditions mentioned for answered prayer? How do these conditions relate to the concept of breakthrough prayer? [05:03]
3. According to Jeremiah 29:13, what is required to truly find God? How does this align with the steps of breakthrough prayer discussed in the sermon? [07:34]
4. How did Daniel demonstrate his seriousness in prayer, and what specific actions did he take to show his commitment? [13:28]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it important to let God speak to us through His Word before we present our requests in prayer? How does this practice affect the effectiveness of our prayers? [03:32]
2. What does it mean to seek God with all our heart, and how might this look in our daily lives? How does this level of seeking impact our relationship with God? [07:34]
3. How does expressing our desires with emotion in prayer differ from simply reciting words? Why might God value sincerity and passion over eloquence? [11:29]
4. In what ways can fasting or other acts of devotion demonstrate our seriousness to God? How might these practices influence the outcome of our prayers? [14:13]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a situation in your life where you need a breakthrough. How can you begin to let God speak to you through His Word regarding this situation? [03:32]
2. Consider your current prayer life. Are there areas where you might not be seeking God with all your heart? What changes can you make to seek Him more earnestly? [07:34]
3. Think about a recent prayer you made. Did you express your desires with emotion and sincerity? How can you incorporate more authenticity into your prayers moving forward? [11:29]
4. Have you ever fasted or engaged in a similar act of devotion to show your seriousness in prayer? If not, what might be a practical step for you to take in demonstrating your commitment to God? [14:13]
5. Gratitude is a key component of breakthrough prayer. How can you cultivate a habit of thanking God for His love and promises in your daily life? [15:33]
6. Confession is an important step in breakthrough prayer. Is there anything you need to humbly confess to God today? How can this act of confession open the door for His mercy and intervention? [17:10]
7. Persistence in prayer is crucial. How can you develop a habit of persistent prayer, even when answers seem delayed? What practical steps can you take to remain steadfast in your prayer life? [19:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Our Prayers with God's Promises
In breakthrough prayer, the first step is to let God speak to us before we speak to Him. This involves immersing ourselves in His Word, allowing Scripture to shape and guide our prayers. By aligning our requests with God's promises, we ensure that our prayers are effective and in accordance with His will. The more we know the Bible, the more our prayers will be answered, as they reflect God's heart and intentions. This practice not only deepens our understanding of God's character but also strengthens our faith as we see His promises fulfilled in our lives. [04:20]
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)
Reflection: What specific promise from Scripture can you incorporate into your prayers today to align them more closely with God's will?
Day 2: Pursuing God with All Our Hearts
Seeking God earnestly is a crucial aspect of breakthrough prayer. This involves a diligent and wholehearted pursuit of God, where our desires align with His purposes. When we seek Him with all our hearts, we find Him, and He rewards our earnest seeking. This step requires a sincere desire to know God more deeply and to align our lives with His will. It is not a passive endeavor but an active pursuit that involves setting aside time and distractions to focus solely on Him. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us, transforming our hearts and lives. [07:34]
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV)
Reflection: What distractions can you eliminate today to seek God more earnestly and wholeheartedly?
Day 3: Praying with Sincerity and Passion
Expressing our desires with emotion is a vital component of breakthrough prayer. God values the sincerity and passion in our prayers over eloquence. When we pour out our hearts to Him, expressing our deepest desires and needs, we demonstrate our genuine dependence on Him. This authenticity in prayer invites God's presence and intervention in our lives. It is not about crafting perfect words but about being honest and vulnerable before God, trusting that He hears and understands the cries of our hearts. [11:29]
"In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears." (Psalm 18:6 ESV)
Reflection: What is one deep desire or need you can express to God today with sincerity and passion?
Day 4: Demonstrating Commitment through Devotion
Demonstrating our seriousness in prayer can be done through fasting or other acts of devotion. These practices show God that we are committed to our requests and are willing to sacrifice for our breakthrough. Fasting, in particular, is a powerful way to focus our attention on God and seek His intervention. It reflects our desperation for His presence and our willingness to set aside physical needs to prioritize spiritual ones. Such acts of devotion deepen our relationship with God and open the door for His supernatural work in our lives. [14:13]
"Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." (Joel 2:12 ESV)
Reflection: What specific act of devotion, such as fasting, can you undertake this week to demonstrate your seriousness in seeking God's breakthrough?
Day 5: Humble Confession and Seeking Mercy
Confessing our sins humbly is crucial in breakthrough prayer. Acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking God's mercy opens the door for His grace and intervention in our lives. God listens to humble confessions, and when we admit our need for His grace, we position ourselves to receive His forgiveness and healing. This step is not about dwelling on guilt but about experiencing the freedom and renewal that comes from being honest with God. As we confess, we invite His transformative power to work in us, leading to spiritual growth and breakthrough. [17:10]
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 ESV)
Reflection: What sin or shortcoming can you humbly confess to God today, seeking His mercy and grace for a breakthrough?
Quotes
"Let God speak to me before I speak to him. I let God speak to me before I speak to him. Well, how do you do that? By getting into God's Word. Now, the first thing Daniel did when he was praying for a breakthrough is he went to the Word of God and let God speak to him." [00:03:21]
"The more you know the Bible, the more you know this book, the more your prayers are gonna get answered because if you're ignorant of the Bible, you don't know how to pray, you don't know what to pray, you don't know when to pray, you don't know what God wants you to pray for because you don't know the promises that God has made to you." [00:04:18]
"God says I love those who love me and those who seek me diligently will find me. So if you feel like I can't seem to find God, then you're not seeking him in the right way. Those who seek me diligently will find me. Let me show you another promise in Jeremiah 29:13. God says you seek me and you find me when you seek me with all your heart." [00:07:16]
"God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Would you like God to reward your business? Seek him. Would you like God to reward your finances? Seek him. Would you like God to reward your marriage? Seek him. Would you like God to reward your children? Then seek God in every relationship of your life. Whatever you want God to reward, then you need to seek him out in that area." [00:07:54]
"I express my desires with emotion. Very important. I express my desires to God with emotion. I'm talking about when you're praying, you can't seek God with all your heart without putting a little passion into it, and if your heart isn't in it, then you don't really want it. Daniel says this: I prayed earnestly to the Lord." [00:10:29]
"This is raw emotional honesty. Now I want you to get this if you don't get anything else. God isn't interested in the words that you use. He's interested in the emotion that you use in your prayer. When you plead to God, God says they mean business. Now look at this verse. Yeah, in the message paraphrase, I poured out my heart, baring my soul to God." [00:10:53]
"Fasting says God I'm super serious about this. I'm serious enough to go without food. I'm passionate and I'm desperate. Now I don't have the time to go into depth and teach you all about fasting in this session, so what I've done is I've included a Bible study that I've written about fasting in the back of your study guide." [00:14:23]
"Thank God for his love and promises. I thank God for his love and promises. You know the Bible says when you ask in prayer, you're to ask with an attitude of gratitude. Philippians 4 talks about praying with Thanksgiving, and we are to ask what we ask of God with an attitude of gratefulness and thankfulness." [00:15:32]
"I humbly confess my sin. This is a part of a breakthrough prayer. After gratitude comes confession. I must humbly confess my sins to God. You see, God doesn't listen to prideful complaining, but he does listen to humble confessing, and when we do that, you've got God's attention. Now this is how Daniel prayed." [00:16:54]
"Remember that prayer is not based on how good I am, how good you are. It's based on how good God is, and so that's why when we get to this step of confession, we're just admitting God we don't deserve the breakthrough, we don't deserve the answer, but we're throwing ourselves on your grace and on your mercy." [00:18:31]
"While I kept on praying and confessing my sin and the sins of my people and pleading with the Lord, suddenly the angel Gabriel appeared in my vision and he said to me, Daniel, I've been sent to help you. I've been sent to help you understand God's plan. Wouldn't that be great? And the moment you began praying, an answer was given." [00:19:31]
"God wants you to pray the breakthrough prayer the way Daniel did. Let's start right now. Okay, it's powerful prayer. The first step in a breakthrough prayer is to let God speak to me before I speak to him. You have just heard God speaking to you. I've given you many, many Bible verses. God has spoken to you." [00:22:56]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?