Prayer for Open Doors

Prayer for Open Doors

There is a work accomplished by prayer, but it must be the supplication of a righteous man, righteous in his personal life. Elijah could thus pray and accomplish a great work through his prayer. He prayed that the heavens should not give rain, and it did not rain for three years and six months. “And he prayed again, and the heavens gave rain.” Now observe how prayer worked in the Elijah example mentioned by James. The apostle refers to Elijah and says: Elijah was a man of like nature with us and then proceeds to show the powerful effects of his prayer.

Paul needed the prayers of the faithful to open doors He writes, “Continuing steadfastly in prayer, withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ.” (Col. 4:2). If the mighty apostle of the Gentiles needed this ceaseless striving together with him in all the places that he went to open doors, then so do God’s servants now when there is such intense opposition from the powers of darkness raging around us, seducing with strong delusions. So, no servant of God preaching a pure gospel will get open doors today, but all doors are open to the man who pleases the flesh. On every side the doors are shut to the pure truth of the word. Therefore, prayer for open doors is needed. There is far too little prayer. There is nowhere near enough to meet the needs, too little prayer to cover the present necessities.

There is much power in prayer. The early church knew how to pray, they knew how to open the prison doors for Peter. This resulted in the iron gate being opened to them by itself for Peter. Pray for open doors. God will just as readily open the doors of hearts as open the iron prison gates.

But anybody would have had Paul to preach, surely? All the doors must have been open to him! No, he was turned out of them as often as the devil could drive him out, through men. Every step that Paul took was in the teeth of the enemy. He was dogged right through the whole of his life after his conversion, with opposition before him, and men spoiling his work behind him. Read the life of Paul on its earthward side, and you will discover that Paul did not have an easy time of it; but he had victory wherever he walked.

Expect the fiercest opposition from the Satanic hosts towards a servant of God, both from the world and from many who are religious. Therefore, even Paul needed intercession.

In 2 Thess. 3:1-3, Paul wrote again: “Praying that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified.” It is not more power that we need, but a more definite prayer. Prayer to open doors, prayer for the progress of the Word is a necessity. Who will join us in the battle? Satan is extremely active; he blocks all paths and obstructs all entry to the truth. What good are open doors if the word does not make progress and is glorified? What good is it to hear the most divine truths if one does not have enough love for them that he would leave everything behind to follow them?

You who love the truth, I do not mean nice religious talk without following it through, pray for open doors and progress for the word. And pray right along the line unto victory.