Pray for Opportunities
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Revelation 3:7-8 NIV
Open doors vs. closed door
There are a lot of factors that go into a church trying to accomplish God's mission. We have to find a location that works, meet hundreds of new people, learn about a new community, share the Gospel, disciple others, and organize everyone into a worshiping body. With each of these topics, there are hundreds of variables. As this passage suggests, we are ultimately weak people. We don’t have the strength to do this on our own.
We started this church because God called us to, and without God it would be impossible. We need God more than ever before. In order to see this church continue to grow, we need God to open some doors and shut others.
The greatest gift that God can give a church or a ministry or an individual is not comfort, wealth, health, or security. The greatest gift is the gift of an open door.
We honestly believe that God has placed an open door before us. And if God opens the door, there is nothing that anyone can do to shut it. This is why we are asking that you pray. Pray that God continues to open doors. But we don’t just want open doors. We need some closed doors too.
In fact, the second greatest gift is a closed door.
We know that God will shut a lot of doors during the process of church planting. Closed doors present a different set of opportunities. Closed doors are the way that God pushes us toward better opportunities. It's a way for us to experience the opportunity for patience, wisdom, and hope. And it’s a way God clarifies his vision in us.
So pray that our leaders have patience to wait not just for opportunities, but for the right opportunities. And pray that they would have the wisdom to know the difference. Pray that God may instill in our leaders such a profound hope that they will never get discouraged, even when God seems to be closing a door. In fact, together, we are relying on God to do amazing things. Let’s join together and pray to God for the gift of opportunity!
