Break Through In Prayer
By Rich Carmicheal
This spring my son and I drilled a long hole through a forked trunk of a tree in order to insert a device to help hold together the two sections of the trunk. He did most of the drilling, applying hard pressure, though I relieved him from time to time because it was exhausting work. We finally reached the point at which we hoped he would be able to bore completely through the final section, but he once again wore out and needed me to relieve him. As soon as I started the drill and applied pressure, the bit broke through the other side. In other words, if he would have continued drilling for another second or two, he would have made it through. He was that close.
This story may serve as a source of encouragement to you if you are seeking the Lord for some sort of breakthrough in your life or in the life of someone you love, or even a breakthrough in your church or community or nation. Perhaps you have reached the point of exhaustion in prayer over this matter and think you will never receive an answer from the Lord. However, it could be that you are right on the verge of breakthrough!
Don’t Lose Heart, But Pray On!
Jesus teaches us through the parable of the persistent widow “that at all times [we] ought to pray and not to lose heart” (see Luke 18:1-8). Her persistence finally paid off; and if it was effective before an unrighteous judge, how much more can we expect the breakthrough from our God!
Likewise, in Luke 11:5-10, Jesus uses a parable to teach us to persist in prayer. In that parable, a man’s friend finally gives him as much bread as he needs because of his persistence in asking. Jesus then offers this promise: “…I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened” (vv. 9-10). He goes on to encourage us to expect our heavenly Father to be very generous toward us when we ask of Him (v. 13; cf. Matt. 7:11).
Is breakthrough possible in your case? Another way to ask the question is, “Is there anything too difficult for God?” That is a question which has already been answered. Jeremiah, in considering the possibility of the Lord restoring His people from captivity, declared, “Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee” (Jer. 32:17).
There is no doubt that God has the power to intervene in our situation. There is also no doubt that He has the compassion to do so. He is our Heavenly Father, a God who is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness” – truths repeated throughout Scripture (Ex. 34:6; Neh. 9:17; Psa. 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13). No wonder David declares, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them” (Psa. 145:18-19).
So keep pressing in to Him! In light of who He is, how much He cares, and what He is able to do, we never know how close we are to the breakthrough we seek. The next prayer could make all the difference! So do not lose heart, but keep looking to Him and pouring your heart out to Him. “But Thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. Turn to me, and be gracious to me; oh grant Thy strength to Thy servant…” (Psa. 86:15-16).
Mutual Prayer
The opening story also illustrates the truth that we often need someone to come alongside us to help carry our burden. This is certainly the case in the matter of prayer as we need others to strive together with us in their prayers to God for us (Rom. 15:30). One of the truths Jesus teaches about prayer is that there is special power and blessing when we unite in prayer – “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 18:19). Hopefully, there is someone with whom you can unite in prayer for the breakthrough you need in your life and ministry.
Of course, the Herald staff is blessed to join with you in prayer as you notify us of your particular needs. We are also very thankful for everyone who upholds this ministry and the staff in prayer! We ask for ongoing prayer for the Lord’s provision of messages, resources and anointing, as well as His guidance and protection.
May the Lord grant all of us the victory of Christ in every aspect of our lives and ministry, according to His perfect will and unto His honor and glory!
We hope to hear from you soon!
Herald of His Coming
P.O. Box 279
Seelyville IN 47878 U.S.A.