Prayer for breakthrough (Prayer day 23)

Resigning to all circumstances as though God wills us to live like this forever leads to passivity and indifference – the opposite of faith, hope and love. In contrast, the Bible is filled with prayers that lead to breakthrough.

Scripture

Daniel 9:1-23 – Daniel’s prayer for Israel’s restoration

2  In the first year of [Darius’] reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would complete seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

3  Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. 4  And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, 5  we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments… 8  O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. 9  To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him…

18  O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.

21  …While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. 22  And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. 23  At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision…”

Observations and reflections

Context: Daniel had been exiled and enslaved along with the Jews for 70 years by the time of this prayer. In reading Jeremiah’s scroll he saw that God foretold their restoration was due, and determined to humbly pray for deliverance from slavery.

1. What was the basis for Daniel’s determined time of prayer and fasting? (verse 2)
2. What was Daniel’s attitude while praying? (verses 3-4a)
3. With what does Daniel’s prayer start? (verse 4b)
4. What does he pray next? (verses 5-9)
5. What does Gabriel’s answer suggest about the duration of Daniel’s prayer? (verse 23)
6. Why is Daniel so confident in his prayer? (two things: verse 2 and verses 9,18)

Personal reflection and Application

As a youth, Daniel and his friends were exiled and enslaved.  For 70 years, they endured and served two empires, but never stopped praying and waiting for God’s restoration of Judah. The prayer above lead to the miraculous return and restoration of God’s chosen nation.

Let’s pray according to this breakthrough-prayer of Daniel.  Which situation in your life, community or country do you yearn most for God’s breakthrough?

1. WORD: Can you recall God speaking to you about this situation in Scripture or otherwise? If yes, remind God; if not ask God and listen/ read the Word.
2. PRAISE: Thank and praise God for who he is and what he had done. (feel the faith stirring!)
3. CONFESS: If the Spirit of God convicts you, or if your sins are pressing on your conscience, confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness – receive the gift of grace!
4. DETERMINATION: Like yesterday, allow your heart and mind to stir with passion, and pray fervently. Clearly state what you desire from God (Consider fasting).
5. CONTINUE: Persist in prayer – pray about this every day!  Are you serious about receiving this breakthrough? Hold on to God’s promise and person – he is willing and able!
6. Tell a friend about this need for breakthrough; even invite him or her to pray with you regularly about this!

 

Ministry of Encouragement 2

The aim of this devotional study is to discover how to encourage a discouraged believer from the Scriptures.

Scripture

Romans 15:1-7

1  We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  2  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  3  For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

4  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5  May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,  6  that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  7  Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Observations

Context: The first few verses of this chapter continue with tension due to matters of moral indifference (food and rituals that have no moral implications, and how different people regard it).

1. Briefly summarize the following sections in your own words:
   1. Verses 1-3
   2. Verse 4
   3. Verses 5-7
2. What “Scriptures” were Paul referring to here? (verse 4)
3. According to Paul, why were the Scriptures written down? (verse 4)
4. What title does Paul attribute to God? (verse 5)  What does he mean when he says that? And how does that statement link to the previous verse? (verse 4)  [Look until you see the beautiful link between these two verses].

Application

1. Paul says that the Scriptures were written “for our instruction”; think of one specific Old Testament History account or character (such as a part of David or Abraham’s life) and apply Romans 15:4 to it:
   1. What “instruction” or life lesson can you learn from this specific account? What do you learn about humanity, about God, about faith, prayer or relationships?
   2. What do you learn about “endurance” – patience, faithfulness or perseverance?
   3. In which way does this Biblical account “encourage” you?
   4. In which way does this Biblical account give you greater “hope” – i.e. what is the inherent promise in this story to you?
2. Think of a person in your life that leans towards discouragement or hopelessness as they go through a difficult time. Which Biblical account is similar in some way from which he/she can learn of God’s faithfulness?  Reflect on that Biblical story and encourage him/her and stir his/her hope!

Prayer

Spend some time praising the “God of endurance and encouragement”, thanking him for strength and encouragement in the past.   Then boldly ask God to encourage you/ a friend and give you strength to endure.