DAY 2

Partner for a great breakthrough

‘The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out.’
(Micah 2:13)

Reflection

God is not only gathering people in but is also breaking open the way so that His people may go out. Our Father God is the Lord of the breakthrough, and His heart has always been for people far from home. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to redeem us, ‘The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.’ (Luke 19:10)

The parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son collectively illustrate God’s intense love for and active pursuit of people who don’t know Him (see Luke 15  ). He prioritises finding the lost and restoring them with compassion.

We partner with God by PRAYING. Scripture is clear that breakthrough begins in prayer. The apostle Paul said that if we want to see a real and lasting breakthrough, it must begin and be sustained in prayer. He tells the church in Colosse, a city that had been wonderfully impacted by the spread of the gospel in Asia Minor, ‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray… that God may open a door for our message.’ (Colossians 4:2-3)

As we THINK BEYOND, let’s remind ourselves that prayer is not the support act to mission; it is the engine of mission where we align ourselves with the power and purposes of God. To use a military term, prayer is where we win the air war. There is a real spiritual battle for hearts and minds. Through prayer we contend for people by name and stand in the gap for our families, schools, workplaces, communities, cities, region and nation. Prayer is not for a select few but is a calling for the whole church. God is inviting everyone to step in deeper.

If we want to see hearts softened, lives awakened, strongholds broken, and spiritual openness turn into spiritual response, we must be a praying people. The Bible tells us that, ‘The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.’ (2 Corinthians 4:4)

As the people of God, we are called to partner with the Holy Spirit to take authority here on the earth, to pull down strongholds and barriers that the enemy has erected around the hearts and minds of unbelievers. Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” (Matthew 18:18-20)

What an awesome God-given responsibility we have, to bind the work of the enemy and to loose the power of heaven so that spiritually blind eyes will be opened to see the glorious light of Jesus.

We partner with God by WITNESSING. It’s remarkable to know that the God of Heaven wants to partner with us (the ones who have already been gathered in) as we live as Kingdom Ambassadors here on the earth, representing Jesus, being salt and light to those around us. As Paul tells us, ‘Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.’ (Colossians 4:5-6)

Our prayers must lead us outward. We are not only intercessors; we are also witnesses: ‘But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.’ (1 Peter 3:15)

Breakthrough comes when prayer fuels bold, wise, Spirit-led witness.

Devotional

by Clive Doubleday

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