Breakthrough Prayer: The Secret of Receiving What You Need from God

by Jim Cymbala

A practical and visionary approach to the principles of prayer that will revolutionize our lives---and enable us to receive all God has for us Many people are missing the great things God wants to do in their lives because they don't know how to receive answers to their prayers. This revolutionary book is not a step-by-step guide on how to pray but an inspiring vision that moves people to greater hope as they see the tremendous potential of prayer. Breakthrough Prayer is peppered with amazing stories of answered prayer from the Brooklyn Tabernacle, including the story of the final survivor of the World Trade Center collapse and the prayers she prayed before becoming the last person pulled from the wreckage alive. Unique features * Breakthrough to What is the connection between how we live and how we pray? * Breakthrough to What are the prayers that really have power with God? * Breakthrough to How can we learn to recognize God's answers to our prayers? Jesus said and did only the things he received from the Father. When we do the same, the real potential of our lives will unfold, and prayer will enable us to become people with instructed tongues who are able to sustain others in fearful times---times much like those we face today. 'Voices inside my head were constantly screaming at me. I became like an animal in the street, muttering or yelling out a stream of profanity as people passed by. One day, lying in a hospital bed, close to death, I cried out, Jesus, help me! O God, you're my only hope! That was the breakthrough prayer that saved my life.' --Danny 'Talk about breakthrough prayer! I was buried under 110 stories of steel and concrete on 9/11. But God heard my prayer for a miracle.' --Genelle 'My husband and I had a dream of helping desperate young women. But no banker in his right mind would finance such a venture. So we prayed and God broke through every single obstacle we faced. That was just the beginning of the wonderful roller coaster ride we call 'faith'.' --Grace

Genres: Prayer, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Theology, Christianity, Inspirational

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Jim Cymbala has been the pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle for more than twenty-five years. The author of the best-selling titles Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire; Fresh Faith; and Fresh Power, he lives in New York City with his wife, Carol Cymbala, who directs the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

Reviews

[Cayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Christabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need a reminder that God cares. I loved the stories about people whose faith was restored through the power of a God who answers prayers.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Opened my eyes, stepped on my toes! I think I need to read this every year.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the first Jim Cymbala book I've read and I'm relatively certain it won't be the last. Jim is an excellent author, pastor, speaker and teacher. I've enjoyed reading his books, doing a video series of his with our life group, and hearing him preach one Sunday when LeChelle and I got to attend the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Jim and his church are as well known for their Tuesday night prayer meetings as they are their Sunday services and various ministries and their world renowned choir. So who better to write a book on prayer? I love his writing style as it is very down to earth and almost as if he is sitting next to you talking. Anyone from a new believer to someone who's been a Christian for many years can understand the things he has to say. And no matter the subject, he always makes a point to present the Gospel and invite someone who might be reading the book and lost to invite Jesus into their heart. Prayer can be a largely forgotten part of the Christian life, and especially of the modern day church, but Jim's book serves to help everyone understand why prayer is so important, how to pray, when to pray, why to pray. I can't think of a single person who would not benefit from reading this book. I highly recommend it.

[Nathan Boleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stories, practical wisdom. Prayer is just one of those things where the more you do it, the better it becomes. It's not something that is taught, at least in my observation, but something experienced. I am grateful that Cymbala would give his insight and inspire us to pray as if it can actually do something in our lives and the lives of all those around us.

[James Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Christian filled with peace and joy stands out like a light in a day dominated by fear and depression.

A man or woman living under an open heaven is more influential than someone who merely spouts theological arguments with no living reality behind them.

Nothing, in fact, can replace the blessing of God upon His people. All the human talent, cleverness, and church-growth methods in the world can never compare with the invisible but very real blessing of God.”

How I started reading the book
I think I’ve been blessed working in a Christian organization with an extensive library, and this one caught my eye one day as I was wandering through the shelves with a hunger in my heart. I was also in a season of prayer and fasting, and this book turned out to be the perfect companion for those quiet, reflective moments during the fast.

About the book
Breakthrough Prayer has 13 chapters, each focused on a specific aspect of prayer and breakthrough—moments in the Bible marked by blessing, joy, timing, and what to do when things don’t seem to change.
Cymbala keeps it simple—short, devotional-style chapters mixed with bite-sized stories of people who experienced the breakthrough power of prayer in their own lives.
Truth be told, I’ve already forgotten most of the names and story details, but what’s stayed with me is the reminder of the power of prayer in a faithful God. The stories stir faith and encourage you to keep seeking the Lord even when things look stuck

How reading the book changed me

“Understanding God’s imperatives and His timing—His never, always, at certain times, and not now—can help us avoid painful pitfalls and guide us into His perfect will.

Breakthrough timing is all about knowing the exact will of God at a given moment. The Lord doesn’t expect us to figure out His plan for our lives by relying on our limited intelligence. He has sent the Holy Spirit to guide our steps. We are not talking about resolving moral questions, but about making important decisions at life’s crossroads.”

The chapter on breakthrough timing really spoke to me in this season. It’s so easy to get confused when trying to understand God’s will for the big things—especially decisions about jobs, moving, or major life changes. But this reminded me that sometimes God’s “no” is really a “not yet.”
Another part that really encouraged me was his reminder to hold on to the promises of God . Daniel knew they would be in captivity for seventy years, yet he still prayed for the fulfillment of that prophecy. In the same way, Jim urges us to keep praying for the fulfillment of God’s promises—for our lives, our families, and our nation.

“If you doubt the importance of standing firm in faith, consider the alternative: ‘If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all’ (Isaiah 7:9).
If your trust in God falters, you are flirting with disaster. These are not melodramatic words, but a warning rooted in Scripture.”

Overall
I really liked this book. To me, it felt more like a devotional that spoke to me rather than a book I simply read. It came to me in the right season and reminded me of the power of prayer and waiting on God.

⭐ 4/5 stars

“Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.” — Jeremiah 42:3 NIV

God’s plan for our lives includes the where we should go and the what we should do. Waiting before Him for direction is never a waste of time.”

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely love reading his books, and this one did not disappoint! I'm not sure how to review this one beyond my rating because this book felt like a personal journey. So, I'm going to write some clips from the book that I really liked and I thought might give someone else a clue as to what the book is like.


Just to quote a few......

"The Bible could be characterized as a book revealing the Lord's intense desire to bless every man and woman He has created."
"God's blessing is reserved for those who long with all their souls to walk in His light and holiness. The righteous in this context are those who will not tolerate sin in their lives but who are always quick to confess their disobedience and seek mercy from the Lord."
"CAN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SHOWER US WITH BLESSINGS IF WE CLING TO AND PRACTICE THE SAME SINS THAT NAILED JESUS CHRIST TO THE CROSS?"
"Compassion and concern for the downtrodden is not merely part of a 'liberal agenda,' but is rooted in the very heart of our Creator."
"Breakthrough praying that brings new blessing from heaven involves humility of heart, fervency of spirit, and a 180-degree turn away from sin."
"A clear conscience and a pure heart are absolutely necessities for prevailing prayer. I cannot confidently ask God for answers when I cling to the sins that nailed His Son to the cross of Calvary. I cannot live in iniquity and enjoy the Lord's favor simultaneously."
"God's Word has a purging process and it is through this process that we are rid of self-dependence so that our faith can remain solely in God. It refines us of self-indulgence so we can walk in holiness. It deepens our surrender to God's will in preference to other more convenient options."
"Breakthrough prayer isn't born out of an 'I should pray today' attitude but, instead, out of an 'I must have God's help' frame of mind."
"Any one of us can minister encouragement if we are sensitive to the needs of others and available to God."
"Love always prays for the welfare of the loved one. Encouraging others through prayer is both a privilege and a responsibility."

[Shirley Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I particularly enjoyed the chapter of Breakthrough Joy. and the one that highlighted the last person, a women, rescued from the World Trade Center on 9/11. Lots of blessings in this book. "God's blessing is a reflection of his incredible love for his creation."
"God wants to change each of us into something more wonderful than we are at present, showering us with his blessings."
The four elements of prayer: 1. Solomon approached God first with thanks and praise.
2. Solomon prayed with great humility.
3.Solomon defined himself as God's servant, ready to do his will.
4.Solomon asked for a blessing that would bless God's people.

Lots of jewels here.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. Initially, I thought it might be a little cheesy. However, I really enjoyed it. It was thoughtful, and the author mixed in great stories of his personal experience or friends/church members he knew, but, also combined biblical stories back to back so that it was personally relatable, as well as scripturally backed. What a great reminder of how prayer works, and how to continue to pray, connecting with God.

[Christopher Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

More very good teaching about and encouragement in for reliance on going to God in prayer from Jim Cymbala. What a tremendous example for us all to pray believing and trusting God for the best result!

I very highly recommend this reading.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and there were many good lessons on prayer. While I didn't agree with all of his theology, the majority was spot on. If you are looking for a book on getting out of a rut in your prayer life, this one might be the one to help.

[Boaz Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a refreshing read on the importance of prayer!! A lot of great stuff in here and a real challenge to many Hyper-calvinistic beliefs. I find Cymbala easy to read and I really like the use of Scripture combined with testimony when making his point. Powerful stuff.

[Paige Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim is one of my favorite christian authors and this book on prayer is one that anyone would benefit from reading. The man has an understanding of and a heart for prayer that we would all benefit greatly from emulating.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories are quite powerful and I think it’s so important to see the work of God in others’ lives to help increase our own faith. Some of the parts between the stories droned on for me. There were a few things I’m not sure I believe to be true, but overall it was a fine book.

[Donna J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book if you want to challenge yourself to pray more. It is a faith-building book as Cymbala recounts some of the situations he has faced and how prayer influenced it.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe not as inspirational as his early books, but still very good, very encouraging, very challenging.

[Dianelys · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an outstanding and powerful book.

[Clara Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book a little over a year ago now. Remember liking it. Pretty easy read. Taught me to trust more in the power of prayer.

[Sheri Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the stories throughout showing what prayer can do. I have consciously been praying more since starting this book.

[Alina Radchuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quotes:

God supplies our need, not our greed.

[David Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonably good book, but I wouldn’t rate it as highly as his earlier books Fresh Wind Fresh Fire, or Fresh Power - both of which are superb.

[Jill Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Cymbala's book. A great continuation of his books on prayer, including Fresh Wind/Fresh Fire and Fresh Power. Cymbala provides wisdom, insight and encouragement on our relationship with Father and why, as believers, our lives and communities often lack the power that is available to us.
If you are on a prayer quest, I have been on this last year, seeking to understand this mysterious thing called prayer, desiring to draw closer to the heart of our Creator and Father, then add this book to the list of books to read.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Cymbala is best known for the choir at his New York City church - the Brooklyn Tabernacle. When I received this book, I shelved it for a few months. Then I remembered it and brought it back out. This book is amazing. Pastor Cymbala's insight into the power of prayer is amazing. This book not only teaches you how to pray with power, but the significance of it. This is a must read for any prayer warrior out there!

[Finley Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book read 2 years ago. We experience break-throughs in our lives as we communicate with God. Prayer is the main form of communication we regularly use. This book will help you to be more effective as you seek to connect with God's own heart!

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book about prayer. Not too deep theologically. He uses stories of his experiences after 9/11 in Brooklyn to show the value of prayer and how faithfulness to God will result in answers to our prayers.

[Denise Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book years ago from Billy Graham and just finished reading it again today. I totally recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about how to get closer to God and see breakthrough in your life.

[Marta Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

We need to better understand prayer. This book is a tremendously inspiring read and a great guide on how to pray and letting the Holy Spirit guide you imparting. I will read this book again!

[Ralph stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

JIm takes you through a indepth look at prayer but in a way you do not need to be a theologian to comprehend his message

[Jerry Huffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book when considering how to pray and what to pray for. A good followup on his other books with a similar emphasis. I highly recommend it.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as I was preparing for a mission trip. It’s perfect for learning more on prayer. I think it’s one of those books that sticks with you.