It is one thing for a door to be opened, but another thing to have access through the door. In other words, opening does not translate to automatic access. Apostle Paul painted a vivid and illustrative picture of this fact when he remarked in 1Corinthians 16:9 “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries”. Anything or anybody can constitute an ‘adversary’ or hindrance to somebody from accessing his/her God-given inheritance.
In this series, we shall be considering prayer, praise and worship as potent keys to open and access any stubborn door. It is true that God had given Canaan to the children of Israel for their possession, yet there was the wall of Jericho standing between them and accessing their Promised Land. In the Bible times, Jericho was known as a walled city, and thus a no-go-area for intruders. The gigantic wall of Jericho did not require any bulldozer but a simple marching around it seven times and shouting of ‘halleluyah’! The scripture says God inhabits the praise of His people. Thus, it means no power can withstand God who dwells in praise, He is in that situation with you. Many people are yet to enter into their divine fulfillment because they don’t see any reason to praise and worship God. There are certain ‘walls’ obstructing you from accessing the door which has already been opened to you. Why don’t you employ the instrumentality of prayer, praise and worship? Although, Paul and Silas were incarcerated but they were not deterred from praying and singing hymns to God, even in chains. As they were praising God, at midnight, “suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed” (Acts 16:26). Similarly, the church offered constant prayer to God on behalf of Peter who was imprisoned by king Herod. It was like a dream to Peter who later realized he had been led out of the prison miraculously (Acts 12:11). Friend, do not underrate the power of prayer, praise and worship!
The Bible says “… The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). It takes righteousness for your prayer to avail and prevail against the door of hindrance to accessing your possession. Are you righteous? If you are not sure, you either need to give or rededicate your life to Jesus Christ. Walk in righteousness as you pray to Him and praise Him. God bless you. (To be contd.) SHALOM
