Pray for open doors
Paul asks for an open door
Even Paul — the bold, tireless apostle — asked others to pray for him in a specific way: pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ. He did not assume that his own effort and eloquence would open the doors; he asked for prayer that God would open them. The opportunities themselves were something to pray for, not just to manufacture.
Leaders work hard to create opportunities — networking, planning, pushing on doors. Paul adds a dimension often missing: praying that God would open the doors. Some doors no amount of human effort can open, and God opens them in answer to prayer. The leader who only works to create opportunities, and never prays for God to open doors, is relying on his own door-opening ability. Paul, who could open more doors than most, still asked God to open them.
“Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut.”
— The risen Christ, to Philadelphia — Revelation 3:8 (WEB)
Some doors no human effort can open; God opens them in answer to prayer. Opportunities are to be prayed for, not just manufactured.
“praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ.”
Paul, who could open many doors, still asked God to open them. A leader formed here prays for opportunity rather than relying only on his own door-opening ability. The inner work is dependence even in creating opportunity.
Pray for God to open doors for the work, alongside your diligent efforts. Recognize the opportunities only he can provide. Pair hard work with prayer for the openings you cannot force.
Leaders rely entirely on their own effort to create opportunities and never pray for open doors. The blind spot is trusting their own door-opening ability over God’s.
Name a door you have been trying to force open. This week, pray for God to open it, alongside your efforts.
Leaders work hard to create opportunities — networking, planning, pushing on doors. Paul added what's often missing: praying that God would open the doors his own effort couldn't.
Are you praying for God to open doors for your work, or only relying on your efforts to force them?