Brokenness Before Breakthroughs

 

The Bible gives numerous examples of prayer and fasting leading to breakthroughs. Breakthroughs can be answered prayer, new seasons of fruitfulness, a fresh anointing of God's Spirit, experiences of God's presence, the lifting of oppression and the breaking of bondage. 

The possibility of breakthroughs encourages our faith. But we must also heed a warning about prayer and fasting. 

Without brokenness fasting is just dieting. Without repentance it is just a ritual. How do we make sure that these are not just the manipulations of man but that we are truly seeking a move of God?

Joel 2 teaches us that before there are breakthroughs there must be brokenness.