I Stand at the Door and Knock - A prayer of release

This prayer was written to help us see the gift of salvation in Christ. It will help you let go of your burdens, sins and cares. Submitting ourselves to God changes our lives and invites a powerful God to be present in us through the Holy Spirit. If you have struggled with life and are ready to face a Savior who loves you, who stands at the door waiting for you to open it to Him, read and pray with me. If you need to renew your faith or perhaps seek more of the Holy Spirit in your life, Jesus says, "Ask."  


This is about trading what you cling to for something better. A life of freedom, love, healing, peace and joy. It's all there in what Christ has made available. It is a gospel of power and it's powerful in it's promise. May God reveal truth in your heart as you read. You may want to find a quiet place free from distraction where just You and God can hang out.

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Prayer:

Father, you sent the Word to us, Your very words, made Flesh. When you sent the Spirit down at HIs Baptism, a ministry of power began that showed the world your nature. When Jesus spoke, we heard wisdom. When he walked, people reached out to touch him.  Upon Him was and in Him was your Spirit. LORD, when a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years heard he was nearby, she desperately sought him. She saw healing and hope. The way, the truth and the life was manifest in his body and the image of the invisible God spoke Your words to us. 

Each day, Jesus our Lord stands at the door and knocks. He waits for me to answer his call. He wants to lift the things that burden me and bring the kingdom of heaven into the world around me.  

You sent the Holy Spirit at Pentacost to reign fire down on the people who waited. A fire that doesn’t burn the head or the body, but the heart and soul - one that brings a filling of joy and miraculous power that the world can’t offer, a release from captivity of the mind, guilt and shame. Father, give me that same Spirit. Jesus left it for me and I trust Him. My life is in your hands. Equip me to be the light that shines in the darkness where the hurts of the world cut deep. 

... Father show me any place I am hiding unforgiveness, fear and doubt. I extend my hand to you. (hold it out) In it I put each sin I have committed. (You may need a bag to put them all in. If so, you have one. Fill it!)  I am so ready to get rid of them. You are the Way. Thank you for waiting for me. I know I'm stubborn but I want to be free!

Jesus said when he was here, “I have a peace that passes understanding. Not like the world gives.” I trust You Lord. (Put your hand out again. Hold that bag out before you.)

The disciples prayed for God to fill them with the Holy Spirit again and again so they could be assured of your presence and power as they did your work. They knew their faith would waver as ours does. They had to ask. We have to ask Him. He asks us to ask...

Jesus said in Matt 7:7  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

That door is before me. (Face the door in your mind.)

Father, I hear the knocking - the invitation from Jesus to receive peace, receive healing, receive forgiveness once and for all, to be connected to you through faith and the power of the Holy Spirit - Your Spirit. I am ready to live directed by your voice in my soul. The knocking is echoing in my head.

I have this bag before me. I've clung to it but I don't need to.

 (Now, seeing the door, grab the handle.)

(Now, open the door and face your Savior. Be ready for the light to shine into the deepest recesses of your soul. Soak in His presence for a while before going on.)

Father, forgive me. I have trusted myself and others. I have trusted the way of the world. I want to learn Your way for me. Show me my sin and take it from me now. 

(Listen for anything to come to mind that needs to be left at the door. This may be a habit, it may be hate, it may be unforgiveness, bitterness, an addiction or __(my sins)____. Add these last things to your bag and hold it out in front of you in the light of your Savior.)

Now, hand him your burden - your whole bag.  

(If you’ve given it over, you may see that it disappears at his touch. This is because He says that he will separate our sin from us as far as the east is from the west. It is no more. He sees it not and you should not see it. We’re now ready for the peace that passes understanding, being reminded of the loving nature of the LORD our God.)

As I bathe in your presence LORD, let the spirit speak to me of your love for me, to affirm the truth of who You are. You created me and know me better than anyone. 

(Enjoy your freedom and embrace your Savior. )

Father, In that place that you let the light shine, where the darkness was, and throughout my being, I ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Equip me and show me your will, so that I may pray and stand in the gap between heaven and earth, for others, in prayer. Give me faith in your power and faith in your promise. I am now seated with Christ in heavenly places and I walk listening for your voice. Keep me faithful so my prayers will bring your will to earth.  Draw me to your Word and to worship you in my every action, word and thought.

Thank You Father for my new life in Christ. 

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This hymn was written by Francis Havergal, a woman who prayed for others, acted faithfully and who saw God move in answer to her prayer. Amazed at God's faithfulness, she wrote this poem of commitment to her Lord. 

1. 
   

1. Take my life and let it be

1. Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
   *Take my moments and my days,
   Let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
   At the impulse of Thy love.
   Take my feet and let them be
   Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing,
   Always, only for my King.
   Take my lips and let them be
   Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
   Not a mite would I withhold.
   Take my intellect and use
   Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
   It shall be no longer mine.
   Take my heart, it is Thine own,
   It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
   At Thy feet its treasure store.
   Take myself and I will be
   Ever, only, all for Thee.
7.