See How to Reach Others Through the Power of “Open”

As believers, it’s not only our responsibility, but profound privilege, to reach others for Christ.

One of my prayers in this direction centers around the word “open,” and I believe it’s powerful–not because I prayed it, but because our God is the One who, through divine appointments, “opens” the way for the gospel to be shared.

1. Reach Others – Open Doors

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” ~Revelation 3:7-9

“Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, When he opens no one will shut, When he shuts no one will open.” ~Isaiah 22:22

For a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. ~1 Corinthians 16:9

Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord. ~2 Corinthians 2:12

From the Old Testament to the book of prophecy of the end of the world, God is all about opening doors. Not only that, but He opens doors no man can shut and shuts doors no man can open.

When it comes to the gospel, we can pray for open doors of opportunity for ourselves and other believers.

Lord Jesus, open doors of opportunity for us to share You with a lost and dying world. Make us aware of those divine appointments in each of our lives.

Jesus opens doors no man can shut. #Pray for open doors.
Click To Tweet

[yellow box] Have you heard about the wonderful ministry of Open Doors at http://www.opendoorsusa.org? It’s a Christian nonprofit organization which provides HOPE for persecuted Christians around the world, and today is their International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church. Learn how you can help. [/yellowbox]

2. Reach Others – Open Eyes

For people given sight, we can sometimes be incredibly blind to the needs around us.

Maybe it’s because we’re constantly dealing with our own stuff. Or maybe we close our eyes to the needs because there’s so many, and we don’t have a clue where to start.

Whatever the reason, in my prayers this year, I’m praying for open eyes to see the needs of others. And in my estimation, the greatest need of any person is spiritual.

When Jesus healed, He often used the words “You’re sins are forgiven.” Yes, the physical needs of those He came in contact with were met with physical healing. But the greatest healing was spiritual in nature through the forgiveness of sins.

That’s great good news!

Lord Jesus, open our eyes to the needs of others around us. Show us how we can meet those needs in a way that leads to spiritual healing for them.

#Pray for open eyes to see the needs of others.
Click To Tweet

3. Reach Others – Open Ears

Not only do we need to see the needs of others, we need to unplug our ears and truly listen to them.

In our fast-paced, get-it-now society, we sadly don’t take the time to listen. And if we don’t listen to them, why should they listen to us when we attempt to share the love of Christ with them?

Lord Jesus, not only do we pray for open ears to Your gospel message, but we pray that You’ll unplug our ears to truly listen to others.

#Pray for open ears to truly listen to others.
Click To Tweet

4. Reach Others – Open Hearts

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” ~Luke 10:27

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ~1 Corinthians 13:2

Yes, we pray for open hearts to the gospel message. But the lost aren’t the only ones who need open hearts. We do too.

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to go through a heartless delivery of the good news without opening our hearts.

I can only speak for myself, but I have a hard time believing or trusting anyone if I don’t perceive that they personally care about me. And I think most of us probably feel that way. When we approach others with an agenda rather than a heart of love and compassion, it will be all too obvious to them.

Lord Jesus, open our hearts to those you put in our paths so that they in turn will open their hearts to You.

#Pray for hearts to be open to the gospel message. #LOVE
Click To Tweet

5. Reach Others – Open Minds

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~Galatians 3:28

In addition to open hearts, we also need open minds. Too many times we make the call as to who is worthy to hear the gospel message, rather than letting God’s Spirit lead us. In addition, we tend to choose people who are like us.

But what about that prostitute on a city corner as the sun goes down and the street lights come up?

What about that hungry homeless man who sits with a sign near the local grocery store?

What about that unruly child placed under your care in whatever capacity in which you serve your community?

What about that Middle Eastern man you see frequently in the post office?

Jesus came to do away with barriers, so why do we rebuild them in our minds?

And not only do we pray for our minds to be opened, but we also pray that the minds of the lost will be open to the message entrusted to us. We pray for soft soil in which to plant the seed.

Lord Jesus, open our minds to people from all walks of life, and open the minds of those we need to reach to the truth of Your Word.

#Pray for open minds to the good news of Jesus.
Click To Tweet

6. Reach Others – Open Mouths

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. ~Ephesians 6:18-20

This is where I struggle the most when it comes to reaching others. I see the door of opportunity and the needs of others. I hear their pain and lostness. My heart constricts in pain for them. My mind is open towards them.

But my mouth stays ridiculously silent.

I have the most wonderful news to share with them. News that will help them. So why doesn’t it come flying out of my mouth?

Of all the prayers I pray for “open,” how I pray that God will open my lips to proclaim His truth. How I pray for boldness and fearlessness. And I also pray that those with whom I share the message will find the boldness and fearlessness to carry it to others.

Oh, Lord Jesus, open our mouths to boldly and fearlessly proclaim Your good news to the world. Then may Your gospel spread like wildfire as each one reached reaches at least one more.

#Pray for open mouths to proclaim God’s Word. #BeBoldAndFearless
Click To Tweet

7. Reach Others – Open Arms

This point of openness goes hand-in-hand with open hearts. We must allow the love that God places in our hearts to touch others with open arms.

In Jesus’ day, lepers not only had to deal with the horrific symptoms of their disease, but they were also lonely outcasts of society. As they moved around, they were required to yell out, “Unclean! Unclean!”

Yet Jesus, in His great love for them, wasn’t afraid to touch them.

As His followers, we must do the same. There are many around us who need a loving touch or hug from Jesus through us.

Oh God, forgive our unwillingness to reach others with open arms. Help us to remember the power of touch in our own lives and be willing to share it with others.

#Pray for open arms to touch even the untouchable.
Click To Tweet

In Conclusion

Will you join me in this seven-fold prayer for “open?” Please pray for open doors, open eyes and ears, open hearts and minds, open mouths and arms. I believe God will bless in a mighty way!

CHIT-CHAT: As it relates to this post, let’s share our experiences about the power of “open” in the comments.

The post See How to Reach Others Through the Power of “Open” appeared first on Cathy Bryant.