B A S E D O N T H E I M P O S S I B L E T R U E S T O R Y

I N T H E AT E R S T H I S E A S T E R
O P E N S W E D N E S D AY, A P R I L 17
BREAKTHROUGH
FIVE-DAY PRAYER DEVOTIONAL

Introduction to BREAKTHROUGH

BREAKTHROUGH is based on the inspirational true story of

one mother’s unfaltering love in the face of impossible odds. When
Joyce Smith’s adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, all
hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up.
Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for
John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific
prediction. From producer DeVon Franklin (Miracles from Heaven),
BREAKTHROUGH is an enthralling reminder that faith and love
can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle.

BREAKTHROUGH opens in theaters nationwide Wednesday,

April 17. You can find a list of theaters and watch the trailer at
BreakthroughMovie.com.

BAS E D O N T H E I M P O S S I B L E TR U E S TO RY

F R O M T H E P R O D U C E R O F M I R A C L E S F R O M H E A V E N

BREAKTHROUGH
I N T H E AT E R S W E D N E S DAY, A P R I L 17
 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Throughout Scripture, we see people talking to God. Meaningful conversations with God have always
been a way of life for His people. So why is prayer so challenging for many of us? This five-day devotional
will help you understand what prayer is and how you can engage in this life-changing practice. Our
prayer is you will experience your own breakthrough prayer!
DAYONE
PRAYER IS FROM THE HEART
If you take a look at Scripture, you’ll encounter something
absolutely stunning: story after story of people crying out to
God with all their heart. And what’s even more stunning—God is
listening.
This is what prayer is: the outpouring of our hearts. We tend to
make it something mysterious (and it is!) or something you could
spend your whole life developing (and you could!), but at its root,
prayer is sincere, heartfelt communication between God and us.
From the beginning to the end of Scripture, we see people praying
from the heart. Prayer is possible, desirable, and important for
humans to be in intimate conversation with God.
Many of us approach the Bible expecting it to be a manual listing
techniques for performing religious duties. But the Bible rarely
instructs us with detail on techniques. Instead, it is overwhelmingly
a book of stories of how a passionate God relentlessly pursues
His people. It’s a collection of prayers and songs and letters to
and from people who are wrestling to be near to God. And it’s a
documentary encapsulating all of the stunning and creative ways
that God speaks to us and maneuvers to be near to us.
So if we want to learn to pray, we should start by doing what
people throughout Scripture do: simply share their heart with
God. One of the most beautiful prayers in Scripture—Psalm 139—
continuously asserts that God is absolutely everywhere. He can’t
be escaped. So He’s right here now, with you. Don’t overthink it,
at least not for today. Talk to him. Share the deepest parts of your
heart. He’s listening.
SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 139
DAY TWO
PRAYER IS PERSISTENT BELIEF
For many people, prayer often comes in spurts. We know it’s
important, so we push ourselves to do it, and things go well for a
while. But then we stop. It’s difficult to maintain a regular prayer
habit.
Jesus knows how bad we are at this, so He told a powerful
parable: “to the effect that [we] ought always to pray and not lose
heart” (Luke 18:1). Why would Jesus say this unless He knew that
we’re prone to lose heart and give up? In the parable, a woman
needs a judge to rectify her situation. He’s not a great guy, so he
refuses to act. But she keeps coming back to him until he finally
gives in. Remarkable as it sounds, Jesus gives us this story as a
model for prayer.
Jesus isn’t trying to accuse God of being lazy or unjust; He’s
simply telling us to pray with the same desperate persistence that
drove this woman.
Have you already told God what you want? Have your
conversations filled Him in on everything that you care about?
Wonderful. Now keep going. Keep telling Him. Keep listening.
Prayer has never been about informing God of things He didn’t
know. It’s always been about the relationship. He wants to know
your heart, and if something remains on your heart, it should
remain in your prayers.
Paul once let slip the intriguing phrase: “pray without ceasing” (1
Thess. 5:17). What would that look like? Certainly, you can’t always
be on your knees in a church building. But if prayer is talking to
God about the things that matter most to you, then why shouldn’t
it happen all the time? Don’t stop praying—God desires this type of
direct contact with your heart.
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–
18, Luke 18:1–8, 1 John 5:14
DAY THREE
PRAYER IS AN INVITATION TO
PARTICIPATE WITH GOD
The Christian faith is full of paradoxes. Jesus is fully God and
fully human. The first will be last and the last will be first. And
with regard to prayer: God is omnipotent and yet He allows us
to participate in His works. Don’t think for a moment that God
needs our help to accomplish His will. God is all powerful and in
control of everything in His creation. So, why do we need to pray?
Because prayer is the means by which God has ordained for some
things to happen.
One of the greatest mysteries of the Bible is that the same
God who created the universe also allows us to cooperate in
 DAYFIVE
accomplishing His purposes. He is the Potter. We are the clay. Yet
He invites us into the process. Passivity is not an option. While
we are powerless at the hands of the Sovereign King, we are
not helpless. We each have gifts and talents that were given for
a greater purpose. As we pray and trust God to do what only He PRAYER IS COMPLETE
can, we participate by offering up that which has been given to us. SURRENDER TO GOD’S WILL
However, we must always remember our best efforts are not what
effects the outcome. It’s God, allowing us as His beloved sons and
In Romans 8, Paul acknowledges that we live in a broken world.
daughters to approach Him and cooperate in His mighty works.
We experience suffering and loss. Sometimes the brokenness
Tim Keller has said, “The only person who dares wake up a king
comes at our own hands; sometimes we are the ones who are
at 3:00 a.m. for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of
broken by outside factors. Paul first encourages us that things
access.” As you pray, pause to consider who you are speaking to—
won’t always be this way. We were made for a whole, healed world,
the Alpha and Omega; the Creator of the universe. And in doing
and one day that will be reality. In the meantime, we groan. And all
so, remember that you have an active role in the meta-narrative
of creation groans along with us.
precisely because you are His child.
Then Paul says that even when we don’t know how or have the
SCRIPTURE READING: Philippians 2:12-13, ability to pray as we ought, the Spirit of God intercedes for us
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 with groanings that are too deep for words. As broken people, we
often don’t have the confidence in God to pray for His will above

DAYFOUR
our own. But he is still with us. He still longs for that conversation.
So in these moments of weakness, his Spirit will pray for us. We
may not know what to say or how to trust, but He does. We may
not even know what we truly want or need, but the Spirit will do
PRAYER IS FAITH IN THE ONE the talking and plead to the Father on our behalf, in harmony with
YOU LOVE God’s will. Our role is to simply enter His presence.

This is praying in faith. We don’t have the answers, but we know

Prayer as religious ritual is difficult to maintain. It requires constant
self-motivation. But if you look at prayer as your opportunity to talk
to the God you love, you will keep coming back to Him.
In writing to Christians who were suffering because of their
faith in Jesus, Peter reminds them why they are holding strong:
“Though you have not seen him, you love him” (1 Peter 1:8). They
were able to keep going because of their love for Jesus. Most of
this generation of Christians had never met Jesus, but that did
not hinder their love. They had faith in all of His promises and that
faith fueled their affection.
the One who does. We don’t even presume to know what is best
in any situation. We simply come to God in faith and surrender,
not because we know how He should solve our problems, but
because we know He is the only one who can. Sometimes the
conversation is quiet and tear-filled, and it matters even then.
Perhaps especially then, because those are the moments you can
experience your own breakthrough.
SCRIPTURE READING: Romans 8:18–30,
Matthew 6:9-13

In Psalm 27, David says the one thing he desires is to dwell with
the Lord forever. This longing is one that has grown from God
showing up time and time again in David’s life. He has realized he
can rest in arms of His Savior, and that frees him to pray with faith.
David doesn’t feel the need to manipulate or control the outcome.
He knows God is faithful and whatever happens, His presence is
assured.

David modeled for us the peace that comes from prayers of

surrender and abandonment of our agenda to God’s plan and
purpose. This is the hope you have in Christ. Not that everything
will work out the way you desire, but God will be your Sanctuary
regardless of the outcome. Relinquish your drive to control the
wildness of God and instead let His reckless love be your refuge
and your rock. You will never feel more secure than when you are
fully trusting in Him.

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Peter 1:3–9, Psalm 27