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 (Revelation 3:7).
Lord God, omnipotent, all power and authority are Yours. You are the "God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father... [who] raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come" (Ephesians 1:17, 20-21).
To the church in ancient Philadelphia, Lord Jesus, and for the benefit of Your church throughout the ages, You pronounced Your supreme rule and authority. You alone hold the key to all jurisdiction, all power, all sway. You hold the key that opens, the key that closes. What You open no one can shut, and what You shut no one can open.
Lord, You have supreme authority over our lives. Teach us to submit to Your wisdom. To understand that You see farther than we ever can, and that You know what is behind each door. Help us to trust You. Teach us to walk in Your way—through the doors You open, and away from the ones You shut. Give us wisdom, clarity, discernment.
Strengthen us in the knowledge O Lord, that everything is under Your feet (Ephesians 1:22). Teach us to rest in the assurance that You grant or restrict access to every door according to Your perfect will. Thank you for the doors You open and for the doors You shut.
Forgive us for the time we waste peering round openings to danger, trying wrong handles, kicking in forbidden entryways. Forgive us for the times we camp out at the doors You close, in fits of temper, or in tears of panic.
Help us instead to ask for the way. Help us to seek Your guidance. Help us to knock on the doors You have ready for us, daring to persevere through difficulty, resting in Your invitation-with-a-promise to "knock and the door will be opened to ["us"] (Matthew 7:7). Open to us the doors of opportunity—opportunity to be examples of faith, to be good stewards over Your resources, and to minister the love of Christ.
Remind us, Lord Jesus, that ultimately, You are the door ( (John 10:9 -NKJV). You are the door to the Father. You are the door to freedom. You are the door to joy. You are the door to healing. You are the door to peace. You are the door to purpose. You are the door to eternal life.
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