DAY 20
DAY 20: ‘Knocking in Prayer’ Opens Doors for the Gospel
One of the most important ‘doors’ that need to be opened, are doors for the gospel. Again, we see the balance. On the one hand, the Lord is the One who ultimately opens the doors to places that have been shut to the gospel. For example, in the book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas give a great report of ‘…all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.’ Acts 14:27. Similarly, we read the words of Paul: ‘…I [Paul] went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me’ 2 Corinthians 2:12-13. On the other hand, it’s clear that the Lord loves to partner with us, His body, and work through our ‘knocking prayers’ to see salvation come to people and places that are indifferent or even hostile to the gospel. Notice Paul’s clear request to the church in Colossae, ‘…pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.’ Colossians 4:3 (ESV)
QUOTABLE QUOTE
Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer.
– Elisabeth Elliot, author and missionary
DEVOTIONAL
by Carmel Ciurdas
Prayer points
- Are there already ‘open doors for the gospel’ in your own life, that you might not have realised? Ask the Lord to speak to you and then pray into what He shows you. Declare the love and power of Jesus into those areas and commit to making the most of every opportunity to share the good news of the gospel.
- Pray that, as a church family, whatever sphere we’re in, we would be Kingdom Ambassadors demonstrating the love and goodness of God to all those around us, being salt and light wherever we have the opportunity.
- Pray for wisdom for our KingsGate leaders, that they would discern what doors of opportunity are already open that need to be walked through; for those doors that need to be pushed open; and for those doors that need to be closed. Pray for wisdom to see new ‘harvest fields’ opened up and for much kingdom fruit as a result.