THE MIRACLE OF OPEN DOORS(3)

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak”(Colossians 4:2-3 NKJV).

The Power of Prayer in Evangelism

One of the great utilities of prayer lies in its capacity to create or prepare a spiritual environment where the word of God can thrive easily. We have heard of great evangelists who, days or even weeks, before a gospel campaign, would convoke a strong prayer task force to do the spiritual spadework before the campaign begins. Paul seems to have understood the efficacy of prayer spadework as a necessary prelude to his preaching expeditions. Consequently, he called on the Colossians to pray for him and his team, that God would grant them an open door for the word, that he may speak the mystery of Christ and make it manifest, as he ought to speak. It has been observed that it is the praying men who hold the ropes.

Things go well on earth depending on the efficacy of the prayers that back them. Evangelism is productive, only to the extent the prayer that births it, is fruitful. The word of God thrives in an atmosphere that has been prepared by God in answer to the prayers of the faithful. The great American Revivalist Charles G. Finney owed a large percentage of His success to the prayer labours of his prayer partner, Father Nash. The two men formed an evangelistic team based on the conviction that prayer was the necessary preparation for revival. Finney’s ministry precipitated revivals everywhere he went largely because of the prayer support of Rev Nash. Someone has boldly observed, “Finney’s preaching would go nowhere without a real warrior in prayer like Nash.”

Discover the miracle of open doors and the opposition that follows. Learn from Paul’s experience in Ephesus, where a great door opened, and many adversaries arose.

In this era of harvest, the need for dedicated prayer force becomes imperative. There is an urgent need for some among us to volunteer for the prayer spade work in support of our pastors and leaders. These will consist of tried and tested intercessors who will travail in prayer for the effective reaping of the ripe harvest.

The Role of Intercessors in Harvest

These, like the watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem will never hold their peace, day or night, until the full harvest is brought in to the glory of God. The prayer focus for this taskforce will be as given by Paul in Ephesians 6:19. First, they will pray for utterance to be given to those who preach the word of God. Utterance here does not mean the ability for speech but rather refers to the content of the speech. It is like praying that God will put His word in the mouth of the preacher to declare to the people. it is not asking for eloquence but for clarity of thought in articulating and communicating the mystery of the gospel to the people. Along with asking people to pray for utterance, Paul also requested for payer for boldness to declare the word of God as he ought to. Lack of boldness has been a major drawback in the preaching enterprise in all ages . The early disciples prayed for boldness saying, “grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word.” If they needed boldness then, we need it more today.

The Door of Faith: Enabling People to Believe

Opening “the door for the word” must be accompanied with opening the door of faith (Acts 14:27). The door for the word empowers the preacher to communicate the gospel with clarity and power, while “the door of faith” activates the hearing of faith in those who receive the gospel. The door of faith is the grace that enables people to believe the gospel and respond to its biddings. Whenever and wherever the gospel is preached there are always some who would believe and some who would not but mock the gospel.

A good example of these opposing responses of people to the gospel is seen in the preaching ministry of Paul at Athens. “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them” (Acts 17:32-33). Those who believed were able to do so because God opened the door of faith for them. This explains why our soul winning efforts must be soaked in fervent prayers. Everything depends on having God open the door of faith so people can believe the gospel and be saved. Receive an open door of utterance and of faith as you labour to bring in the harvest throughout this year in Jesus’ name.

THE MIRACLE OF OPEN DOORS(3)

The Power of Prayer in Evangelism

The Role of Intercessors in Harvest

The Door of Faith: Enabling People to Believe

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THE MIRACLE OF OPEN DOORS(2)