Strategies for Breakthrough

November 7, 2013 – Allen and Diane Lake

So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.”  Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. – 2 Sam. 5:20

It’s Right There

Many prophetic voices are speaking and declaring breakthrough right now.  On a personal level, my husband and I have received at least six prophetic words of breakthrough from others within the last two months, and heard the Lord speak to us of breakthrough, as well. At the same time, the last couple of months have been some of the most trying in many ways that I can recall.

One recent night before falling asleep, I heard the Lord say, “It’s right there, Diane.”  That definitely got my attention, except I hadn’t heard what was “right there.”  When I still hadn’t heard anything else after thirty minutes or so, I asked the Lord to reveal what this thing was that was right there—it was as if He’d answered a question I’d never thought to ask. Immediately, I heard—“Breakthrough.”

I know many others in the body of Christ besides us who are praying and believing for breakthrough.  If we can understand our breakthrough within the context of what God is doing in the earth, it will help us to stay strong until we break through the things attempting to hold us back.  Identifying what God is doing in the earth now allows us to access key strategies to avoid becoming casualties in the spiritual battle we are in.

Uncharted Waters

We must not lose sight in this hour that God is preparing for a coming harvest.  And not just any harvest, but the biggest harvest coming in history.  As people of God, we must get ready.  It’s about a plan coming together at the right time. (See our article, Keys to the Harvest.)

Part of what God has been doing in this season is strengthening and purifying His saints—literally by a baptism of fire. (See Matt. 3:11, 12.) This fire is meant to burn demonic influence off the saints and usher in new levels of faith, purity and holiness.  Ultimately, this baptism of holy fire is meant to keep us safe as it mobilizes the saints back into His power, which will manifest through miracles, signs and wonders.

Major prophetic voices are now speaking spiritually of a new day, a new birth, and of a reset button having been pushed.  As a church, the greatest days are ahead of us, and we must not judge our future by our past.  In a sense, we have entered uncharted waters, with nothing we have yet seen to compare with what we will.  To successfully navigate these waters, we must receive new strategies.  And to receive new strategies, we must ask.

Speak Lord, For Your Servant Hears

We’re all familiar with the story of young Samuel, and how he was unsure of how to respond when the Lord first attempted to speak to him. (1 Sam. 3) The Lord already had something to say, but Samuel had to rightly respond to receive the message – by saying “Speak, for Your servant hears.” (v. 10)

There’s an invitation in the spiritual realm now to respond in like manner to receive new breakthrough strategies.  What worked in the past will not work any longer, and where we once experienced defeat, we can now expect victory.  Like the disciples who had fished all night and caught nothing, we will see breakthrough as we listen for His strategy and then obey. (John 21:1-6)

The Runaway Bride

Another piece of the puzzle regarding the context of what God is doing in the earth is directly tied to the state of the church.  He’s waiting for the church to mature; the bride must make herself ready before certain aspects of end time events can occur. (Eph. 5:26, 27; Rev. 19:7)

Recently I heard the Lord say we are living in Hagar-like days.  After reviewing Genesis 16 and 21 to refresh what I knew about Hagar, I heard the Lord speak of the runaway bride – who was slow to grow up.

The spiritual parallel I see in this is that when Sarai dealt harshly with pregnant Hagar, she fled.  It’s intriguing that the Angel of the Lord then “found” her in the desert, and after questioning her about what she was doing, sent her back.  In essence, the Lord said, “Your destiny is not out here in the desert, but back where things are tough.  I’m sending you back into less than ideal circumstances, but I will bless and increase you in your submission and obedience.” (16:6-13)

Can you see the Christ bride in this parallel?  I don’t like generalizations, but it appears to be true – a large number of saints have found the going too rough and have run away from the true gospel.  The Lord in His mercy has “found” us and is sending us back to submit and overcome.  Many have fled to the desert of unbelief, but the Lord is sending us back with new power and authority to overcome adversity – with the true gospel of the kingdom.

No Excuse!

We know that “this gospel of the kingdom” must be preached in all the world before the end will come. (Matt. 24:14) For much of the last two thousand years the church has focused largely on winning souls for Christ, while ignoring that “this gospel” (the one that Jesus preached and lived) includes signs, wonders and miracles. (See Mark 16:17, 18.) Rather than pressing into the truths of deliverance, miracles, and authority revealed in the Bible, many have embraced a theology that explains away the lack of power in the church as proof that these promises were not meant for today.  Lord, have mercy!

A recent dream greatly challenged me in this area.  In it, the bishop of the ministry my husband and I are ordained with was speaking very sternly to a group of ministers.  First, he chastised some for their lack of discernment – in this part of the dream there was an open container of something that had a very strong odor, but no one had noticed it. (Thankfully, I didn’t seem to be a part of this group!)

But I was part of the next group.  This group of ministers was told that there was no excuse for sickness!  We were challenged to be more bold and authoritative in dealing with it.  The dream ended when a woman asked me to play the song “Nothing But the Blood” on a piano.

The Holy Spirit is speaking to rise up in boldness with greater authority against sickness.  I’ll be transparent—I’m fairly bold when someone needs deliverance—I know that demons have to go because of the authority I carry in Jesus’ name.  Yet oddly, when I pray for someone’s healing, I don’t exercise this same level of faith and authority.  Which is ridiculous considering that most illness is due to demonic oppression!  Lord, have mercy!

Somehow, we have to carry the truth of this revelation forward with us into this new season. Thankfully, to him who has confidence, there is hope.  Our confidence is in You, Lord, and it will give us the necessary strength to see you perform the impossible! (Heb. 11:11)

Shepherding the Harvest

While the Lord is challenging us to new levels of faith, we must keep in mind that even if we have all faith so that we can move mountains – without love, it profits nothing. (Matt. 21:21; 1 Cor. 13:2) Also, there are several other important components of breakthrough in addition to the context of harvest and the unbelief historically present in the church.  We need to:

1. Understand that angelic activity has increased.  Be aware and open to their presence.  They will help and strengthen us, and aid in the harvest.  We will be required to cooperate with them in order to combat the “deep darkness” spoken of in Isaiah 60:2.

2. Recognize the need for the power imparted through praying in the Spirit. (Jude 20) In fact, there are some aspects of anointing in this season that will only be accessed by praying in the Spirit. (One morning recently when I was praying in the Spirit, an angel of the Lord showed up! – See above.) As intercessors, it’s important that we not give up this aspect of our prayer time, either.

3. Consider that prayer combined with fasting is a powerful tool proven to bring breakthrough.  Daniel, David, Esther and Jesus are just a few biblical examples of those who fasted to see breakthrough.  Historically, many giants of the faith, including John Calvin, Charles Finney and Jonathan Edwards, gave themselves to regular prayer with fasting.  Again, the “deep darkness” present in this age will require increased power. (Isa. 60:2; Matt. 17:21)

4. Practice the power of the spoken decree.  First we must hear what He says by listening intentionally and intelligently, and then we must say what He says, by using the power of the prophetic decree. (Job 22:27, 28)

5. Finally, consider making a “wish list” before the Lord.  Recently the Lord told me to make a wish list of what I need and would like to see God do.  Then, He said, “Watch me do it.”  Ask the Lord if this word is for you; if so, go forth boldly and do it. (Consider Jacob’s boldness if you’re not sure!)

Lord, bring us into breakthrough that we might wisely shepherd the harvest of revival that’s coming! Amen.

Pray

1. For new strategies to be revealed. (1 Sam. 3:10)
2. For the Lord to bring new levels of faith, and repent of any doubt and unbelief – both at a personal and corporate level. (Matt. 21:20-22)
3. For the Lord of the Breakthrough to burst through the things that are holding us back – again, both personally and corporately. (2 Sam. 5:20)
4. For an increase in signs, wonders, and miracles to follow your ministry, and that of other saints, as well. (Mark 16:17, 18)
5. For revival, and that God would make us wise stewards of His harvest. (Matt. 9:37, 38)

Act

1. Renew your commitment to combine prayer with fasting, pray in tongues, and practice the power of the spoken decree.
2. Consider reading The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting, by Mahesh Chavda, and 70 Reasons for Speaking in Tongues, by Dr. Bill Hamon.
3. Take care of your body in ways like healthy diet and exercise; we’ll need physical strength as well as spiritual in days ahead.
4. Consider sowing financial seed for breakthrough as the Lord directs.

Last modified: January 21, 2021