As we begin the new year, Converge churches and missionaries from around the globe will embark on 21 Days of Prayer. Join us on this prayer journey by reading the daily entries on Converge’s blog, or by downloading your free 21 Days of Prayer: Upside-down Kingdom guide (English/Spanish). In addition, you can share daily posts from our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. Thank you for joining us as we open 2022 in prayer together.
Day 18: The narrow and wide gates
Matthew 7:13-14
13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
The Bible teaches that humanity always has had a choice in our relationship with God. In the beginning, God gave Adam and Eve a choice and told them to enjoy all the trees in the garden, especially the tree of life, but to avoid the tree of good and evil. The choice was life or death. This call to choose life continues in Scripture. For example, Joshua and Moses call the people to choose life. God always has called his people to choose life. But we do not always listen.
Here, Jesus is rewording this idea of choice. He compares the wide and narrow gates. The wide gate is an easy path and one that most will choose. The narrow gate is much smaller and not many will choose it. But it leads to life. Jesus is calling people to enter through the narrow gate. Choose him, his way, his path, his Word and his salvation, which he alone brings.
What a sobering passage. Which gate will you choose? How will you live in such a way that you will help others choose the right gate?
Prayer
Lord, we know the choice has always been there, choose life. You want us to know you and take refuge in you, but so many choose their own paths and are lost. Help us not only to choose the right path, but to help those around us choose it as well. Help us continue to shape our lives to reflect you and your love, mercy and grace so that we can be lights in this dark world. Amen.
Continue your prayer journey throughout the year with Converge. Download the 2022 Converge Prayer Calendar to join us as we pray for missionaries, church planters, chaplains and district and national staff members.
You can also join a global prayer network and meet virtually with others to pray for the missionaries, people and specific needs of one of Converge International Ministries’ global initiatives.
Excerpt from
21 Days of Prayer: Upside-Down Kingdom written by
Robert Watson and Justin Martz.
