Door Prayers

"Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."

2 Chronicles 6:39-41

"Ask and it will given to you;  seek and you will find;  knock and the door will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:6-8

"And on the two olive-wood doors he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with hammered gold."

1 Kings 6:31-33

 

Have you ever done what I call “door prayers?” They can be done in any building or in your home. However, I often feel called to pray at the doors at church. I have found that it usually takes me about an hour, and I personally like going early before church services start on Sunday mornings. You can pray throughout the whole building or split it up over several visits and do a wing of the church at a time.

Here’s what I like to do.

Stop at any door, and pray for the person who uses that room, or the ministries offered through it. So, when I stop at our administrative assistant, Sharie’s door, I will lay my hands upon the door frame, and pray something simple “Dear Lord, bless Sharie and the work she does in our church. We are blessed to have her as she attends to all the needs of our staff and our congregation.”

Then, I may move on to Pastor Dennis’ door. I will lay my hands upon the door frame and say “Dear Lord, bless Dennis as he is the shepherd to our church. Keep him strong in the faith of the Lord. Protect him and his family as they remain faithful to our God and our Savior.”

When I move to a custodial closet, I might say “Dear Lord, thank you for the great custodians we have, who work many late hours keeping our church clean and prepared for all the events we hold. We bless and praise you that they are employed by our church.”

As I go to our daycare office, a prayer could be “Dearest Lord, how blessed we are that you said ‘Let the children come to me.’ Bless their families and help us all raise the children in our church to love and trust you.”

Stop by the kitchen and pray “Lord, you made the fishes and loaves of bread feed thousands. We bless those who cook here. Thank you for the nourishment not only of our souls, but also of our bodies. Bless our Wednesday night dinners, our celebration of lives, our fund raisers that start here with food.”

You get the idea. I have done this many times and find that it moves me so greatly that I find myself crying in love for all the Lord has given us. 

By Carol Pigg