The Breakthrough Power of Covenant Prayer

Introduction

Prayer can be a mystery, even to those who have been praying for some time. At different times, prayer may be a source of comfort and refuge, an avenue for venting frustration or exasperation, or a way of presenting wishes before God. Today we look at prayer as an avenue for breakthrough – prayer that presumes God hears and answers.

Discuss

1. Imagine yourself in the place of Nehemiah. You personally live in safety and have a secure income, but your family is suffering in a distant land, causing you much heartache and anguish. How would you pray? What level of determination would be expressed in the way, and the duration of, your prayer? What does verse 4 tell us about Nehemiah’s prayer response?
2. What does this passage show us about Nehemiah’s focus? Look up the word, ‘Incurvatus’ and discuss. Give examples that demonstrate the difference between living an inward life (worldly vision) and an outward life (Kingdom vision). What difference does that make to our motivation to pray?
3. Read Nehemiah 1:5-11. Note when this prayer was uttered (see ‘then’ after verse 4). It is interesting that this prayer was birthed out of prayer. Read James 4:2-3. What is the difference between the pagans and the godly, according to James? Discuss the priority/order of Nehemiah’s prayer. What is the promise Nehemiah relies on? Ask each person to share Bible promises they ‘stand on’ when they pray.
4. Nehemiah had a broken heart for the things that break God’s heart. The time between Nehemiah 1:1 and 2:1 is about four months, which represents Nehemiah’s commitment to pray. What would it take for us to pray that long? Is our prayer durability based on our own need, or are we moved by being in sync with God’s heart? What can we do to shift the durability of our heart to be closer to God’s heart?
5. It is said that a broken heart often precedes a breakthrough, but the enemy will try to numb, belittle or distract us from the burden God places on our heart. What practical steps can we take to persevere until we get the breakthrough we pray for? How much time do we spend entertaining ourselves on devices each day? What is it that stops you from praying? What practical steps could you take to change that?

Respond

Nehemiah’s prayer led to radical sacrificial action and an accelerated outcome. Every believer now has a greater potential to see God bring about breakthrough through prayer. Our heritage in Christ gives us the right to stand on the promises of God, by the blood of the Lamb, by the power of His Spirit. What will you dare to believe God for this week, and what promises will you stand on to receive your breakthrough?

Person of Peace

What breakthrough will you pray for this week in relation to finding your person of peace, or leading your person of peace into a breakthrough?