We as members of the Church hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven. We can attack the gates of hell, which cannot prevail against us (Mt 16:18). We have the power to stop or start, to bind or loose movements and events (Mt 16:19). We can use our authority to loose the Peters of today from prison, death, and sin (Acts 12:5, 7ff).
We can bind today's Herods and prevent them from destroying God's people. We can be used to turn simple Simons into Spirit-filled Peters, and vicious Sauls into servant Pauls. We have the authority to loose healing and bind sickness, because the sick upon whom we lay our hands will recover (Mk 16:18). We can loose conversion and holiness and bind rebellion and worldliness.
We can do more than we have ever asked or imagined (Eph 3:20). Jesus is the Gate (Jn 10:7). Turn the keys.
| PRAYER: | Father, I repent of not fully using my authority over nations and world leaders. |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord will continue to rescue me from all attempts to do me harm and will bring me safe to His heavenly kingdom." –2 Tm 4:18 |
| PRAISE: | Sts. Peter and Paul both accepted the keys of God's kingdom and spent lives of empowerment building up the Church. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College