Matthew 16:19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
When we confessed and believed that Jesus is the Christ, God gave us the keys to His kingdom. We were given full access to what is His and can enjoy every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3–14).
The Holy Spirit, who lives in us, helps us understand what God has freely given to us (2 Corinthians 2:12). We possess the authority to move heaven and earth in Jesus’ name. Our prayers can open every door.
One of the highest privileges we have is to pray for others. Scripture tells us that we have an anointing from the Holy One to carry out the task of a priest on behalf of others (1 John 2:20).
When the Israelites rebelled against God and worshiped a golden calf, God’s anger burned against them. He was prepared to destroy them and start over with Moses. But Moses interceded, reminding God of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom He had sworn by His own name.
Because of Moses’ prayer, God changed His mind and had compassion on His people. He did not bring the disaster He had threatened (Exodus 32:9–14). That is the power of intercession.
Still, about 3,000 people died that day because of their idolatry. Moses prayed, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written” (Exodus 32:32).
Moses repented on behalf of the people and pleaded for God’s grace and mercy. He stood in the gap for his people, laying down his life in prayer before the Lord. God was pleased with his prayer.
In the same way, we have been given the privilege to intercede for others. We repent for the sins of our families and our nation and ask for God’s mercy. In the Old Testament, the priests’ primary role was to intercede for the people through sacrifice and prayer. We now walk in that same priestly privilege, interceding on behalf of unbelieving family members, friends, our communities, and the world.
When we pray in Jesus’ name, the power of Satan that has closed doors in our lives and mission fields begins to collapse. “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house” (Matthew 12:28–29).
Through prayer, we can tie up the “strong man.” That is the authority God gave us when we believed. Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, is our eternal foundation. And the Spirit of God, who created the universe, lives in us. When we rely on His authority and rebuke the devil in Jesus’ name, the enemy will be bound and flee from us.
Let us hold onto this promise and devote ourselves to prayer. God will open every door in our mission fields for the sake of the gospel (Acts 2:1–13). He will fill us with His power so we can be Christ’s witnesses to the ends of the earth.
There are no doors God cannot open. When the church prayed earnestly for Peter while he was in prison, God sent an angel to open the prison gate and rescue him (Acts 12:5–10).
So do not be discouraged when doors appear closed. Do not worry about anything. Listen to the One who lives in you: “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).
He is with you always, to the very end of the age. Use the keys He has given you. Unleash the power of prayer all day, every day, in Jesus’ name.
Prayer. Father, I come before You on behalf of my family, school, workplace, the nation, and the world. Have mercy on them so that they might turn to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.