A prayer to praise God when he opens a door that he once closed
By Chelsey Dematteis
Bible Reading:
“After the wise man was gone, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.” With the child and his mother, fled to Egypt, “The angel said…” – Matthew 2:13
Listen or read:
Six years ago, in July 2019, I attended a speaker meeting with Christian Writers. It was not only a redeeming experience in my heart, but it was just the beginning of one of the greatest God’s stories of my life. It all started when I entered the conference centre at the Women’s Sea. God didn’t show me the familiar faces of the women I came to know a few months ago. It already felt like a gift.
As the week went on, I had the opportunity to share book ideas with publishers, acquisition editors and book agents. If you attend a meeting like this, some people may know this drill. It’s not easy to sit across from people you know. You’ll say “no” to publish or represent your project, but that was an area that God felt was developing my faith and confidence.
When I went to my first appointment, I was as prepared as possible. With confidence and faith, I shared the idea that God was stirring my heart. I met kindness and assurance, but for a variety of reasons I was no to represent my project. The lack of experience was a major part of constructive criticism. I left the meeting and didn’t feel defeated by what seemed like a closed door, but with a great critique that gave me even more passion behind this gift God gave me.
I left the meeting that weekend without any agents or publication offers, but I now headed home with direction and clarity. The rest of the story God was trying to write over six years ago leaves me with words as it still unfolds when I write these words. In November 2021, my first book, More of of of Me, was traditionally published. It wasn’t the publisher of the women I met, but it was an absolute dream to believe in someone the message God had given me.
In the summer of 2023, the Lord set fire to me for my next book. It poured from my heart like a firefighter. The book writing process has started again. In the fall of 2024, I signed with an incredible agent who saw the need for this message, and when the year ended, she began selling it to publishers. In January, she sent me a message that she felt encouraged by the Holy Spirit to send it to a particular publisher. I told her I was completely on board when I thought she was leading it. So she pitched it. Meanwhile, I had no idea who she was selling it to.
Within a week, she sent me a message that a woman from the publisher wanted to see me. My chin about hitting the floor. She was the same woman who had been sitting on the table since July 2019. I hardly believed it. A meeting was scheduled later that week. Three weeks later I received a call saying I had received an offer from her publisher for this next book.
It was only the beginning of this incredible story of God that felt like a closed door six years ago. It’s easy to assume that a door is closed means it’s closed forever. It seems we are doing this to protect ourselves. But what if you believed that the doors were closed today?
My story pales in comparison to the Bible I am trying to share, but it proves God’s faithfulness to writing the finest stories that give him all his glory. Matthew 2:13-15 speaks back to Egypt to protect Jesus. The most incredible part of this story is that God has returned to where God once rescued Jesus, the Savior of the World, from captivity. Isn’t it surprising to see how God redes everything in his time?
After the wise man was gone, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Wake up! I fled to Egypt with my child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return to you, as Herod will search for a child to kill the child.” That night, Joseph set out for Egypt with his mother’s child and Mary, and they remained there until Herod’s death. This has made it possible to what the Lord said through the Prophet. “I have summoned my son from Egypt.” Matthew 2:13-15
Trust what he is doing when it feels like God has closed the door to something that has stirred up in your heart. Thank you for offering to close the door, but know that he can open it again at the perfect time. Instead of closing the door and discouraging it, strengthen your faith.
Let’s pray:
Thank you, Dad for reopening the door! I hope I trust you when the door is closed and have the trust I think I am offering it. But when you reopen the door, please tell us how bold it is to share your testimony. Your loyalty is amazing! In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GetTyimages/Grafner
Chelsea is the voice of my life, who lives a life of Christ in a world that is hardly podcasts and devoted to him for 52 weeks, who lives a life of Christ in a world that is centered around me. She writes Lifeway Women’s Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and Devotions for Ibelieve.com. She also writes a Bible Reading Plan for the Youversion Bible app. Chelsea lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and her website chelseydematteis.com.
Pray through Psalm 15: Prayer to those who never shake up
Are you tired of being spiritually exhausted? You’ve come to the right place! Join us in the age of prayer, reflection and meditation. Put your day’s luggage behind you, refresh, update, and reconnect with God. Who is the one who never shakes you up? Explore poem sal 15 with today’s 10 minutes of devotion. If you like what you hear, you won’t miss an episode.
Because you prayed, do you need someone to pray for you? Click the button below
