DOORS INTO CHAMBERS OF INTERCESSION

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and SHUT THY DOORS about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast – Isaiah 26:20

The Lord Jesus remains our Perfect Pattern in Prayer and Intercession! He practised the habit of entering into His closet and shutting the door – shutting out the noisy distractions of the world, in order to enjoy intimate, concentrated communion with the Father-God. His closets included the solitary place (Mk.1:35), the desert place (Lk.4:42), and the lonely mountain cave (Mt.14:23; Mk.6:46; Lk.6:12).

Impactful people of God have always been people of intercession, people who knew how to shut the door against worldly distractions and Satan’s deception. The Bible says concerning Elisha: “He went in therefore, and SHUT THE DOOR upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD” (2 Kings 4:33); and he came out with the miracle of the dead child being raised.

God calls us to a life of persistent prayers and consistent intercession. The prophet Isaiah also declared God’s command for His people to enter into their chambers and SHUT the DOORS (26:20). This implies hibernating in a place of privacy, protection and intercession, within which they’ll be shielded from ensuing indignation and judgement. This is similar to God’s instructions for Israel to hibernate in Goshen, under the covenant covering of the blood, while Egypt was being visited with plagues.

God demands our undiluted attention, concentration and obedience in our prayer closets and intercessory chambers. He is asking for more than our few hurried minutes, scattered thoughts, and half-hearted utterances. He expects us to set aside time and place to give Him our full attention. God is willing to give us the victory over the “battles of busy-ness,” the “wars of wandering thoughts” and the distractions of double-mindedness. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” and “cannot receive anything of the Lord” (Jam.1:7-8). That’s why we need to SHUT THE DOOR while in the chamber.

How can you shut the door? (1) Locate and dedicate a private and quiet place or few options of places as your closet, and be consistent in using them. (2) Practice vocalizing your prayers; that is, praying aloud, to keep your mind from wandering. This may feel awkward at first, but you'll soon get used to it. (3) Note and write down the distracting thoughts and humbly, honestly take them to God in prayer, asserting authority over them by faith. Confess your longings to God that He might purify them. Confess your weaknesses that He might strengthen you. Confess your resentments that He might forgive you and empower you to forgive others. Preserve and enjoy this great privilege of prayer, never neglect it. NOW, enter into your chamber, SHUT THE DOOR and engage in destiny-defining prayers!