Shut the Door

Warriors Arise: July 23rd, 2020

John 20:24-26 (NKJV) Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”

"The doors being shut" stands out to me because it reminds me of Jesus teaching His disciples to pray. In that past when I have read this chapter in its entirety I thought Jesus appeared and disappeared right before their eyes which is why they thought He was a spirit. But now things are standing out that I used to just read over. "The doors being shut" could very well mean they were praying, seeking the Father, positioning themselves, their hearts and minds to hear from God.

Just before Jesus gave them a model prayer to follow He told them how to position themselves before they start praying.

Matthew 6:6 (NKJV) But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

When we apply this to our lives today, I am pretty sure it involves a little more. If Jesus was telling us today, He might have said, "When you pray, make sue you silence your phone, leave it, your computer and iPad out of the room, put a do not disturb sign on your door, then go into your room, make sure your radio is off and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

We have many things that can distract us. When I first began to apply this, I had to have a notepad and pen beside me. It wasn't to journal, it was to make a list of all the things that would pop into my head that I needed to do. It was wild! When I would position myself to meet with the Father, I was bombarded with all the things I needed to do. It would get to be too much so I would leave the Father and go do my list. I would tell myself that I would get back to my prayer time later. However one thing led to another and the day would be spent. Falling into bed I would remember, I hadn't returned to my prayer time with the Father.

I had to make a change. I silenced my phone. I did not bring my computer into the room with me. I put a sign on the door and brought a pad of paper and pen to make a list of all things things I would be reminded to do. This pad of paper helped me to say no to the pull and pressure of the things I needed to do. It allowed me to write down what I needed to do and then return my attention to the Father without leaving His presence.

There really is something about separating yourself from the world in order to get into the secret place and meet with the Father. We can hear Him clearly and our heart is aligned with His. We have strength, security, encouragement, peace, joy, and bask in His love. God meets with us!

Even though this passage may be making a point that Jesus just appeared out of thin air, behind closed doors or it could have been referencing that they disciples were doing exactly what Jesus had taught them to do when they prayed to the Father. Maybe it is both. The doors were shut.

Father, the enemy is doing his best to bring fear back into the hearts of Your people. The school year is approaching quickly. It seems odd because people are traveling, visiting friends, family and vacationing; yet, there is all this pot-stirring about COVID-19 being spread in the schools. There is something else going on. Father, I need to hear from You. I want to know how to encourage others. I want to bring them peace and encourage them to walk in Your power, for sickness to die in Jesus name. I do not want anyone to be in harms way, but I also feel like there is something underlying. I pray for You to come and reveal the enemies plan. I rebuke the enemy for His divisive ways. I bind up division in Jesus name and loose unity, togetherness, and focus as one. I rebuke the enemy and the fear he is causing and loose peace in Jesus name. I rebuke the enemy who is spewing lies to trap people and loose the truth in Jesus name. I rebuke the enemy causing us to become slackers, squatters, and takers and loose the purpose and destiny of God in Your people in Jesus' name. We will never be satisfied until we are doing what You created us to do. I ask for You to come and breath Your life on us. Come and speak Your Words of peace, encouragement, and purpose. I pray for Your people to go into their room without any worldly distractions and position themselves before You so we can hear what You have to say. I pray for Your words to be heard and followed in Jesus' name. I ask for You to meet us in the secret place in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.