Since we arrived in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cathy and I have felt that we were supposed to prayer walk through the oldest Muslim Mosque in Mostar. Finally we knew it was time, so Casey and Chad agreed to come with us.
We started the morning in worship and prayer through the Bible School (where we are living). We interceded in every bedroom, classroom, and office for about 1 ½ hours just asking for God’s blessing over the school. It was a very powerful time as God showed us what to pray for. We then anointed our heads with oil to prepare ourselves to walk through the Mosque.
We then proceeded to leave for the Mosque and the gate/door to the Bible School would not open…we were stuck…we couldn’t get out! Our key unlocked the door but the door wouldn’t open. We tried for 15 minutes and even sprayed cold water on the door. Then we realized maybe God didn’t want us to go right now. The 1:00pm prayer at the Mosque was just about ready to begin. “Ok God, you called us to pray in this Mosque and we can’t get out of the Bible School.” I began to feel that we needed to do a Bible Study. I already had one prepared on Romans 14. We skipped lunch and meditated on God’s Word through this Chapter. Hmmm…That morning we worshipped and prayed…maybe God wanted to fill us with His word. During our Bible Study we saw 1 person leave the school and 2 people enter through this door we couldn’t open…with NO problem!!
The interesting thing about this Mosque is that when most missionaries come to Mostar they feel God leading them away from this Mosque…not to enter. However, Cathy and I have been praying together through Mosques, Temples, and churches all through Europe so I like to think we are a good “tag team” of prayer. We knew God wanted us in there!
After our study, Chad tried the door….again to no avail! “Agh….what is going on, God?” Casey and Chad began to feel that they were not supposed to enter the Mosque but to pray outside while Cathy and I still felt we needed to enter. Then Cathy and I tried together…she turned the key and I pushed the door. The door then opened….Praise the Lord! It was confirmed…Cathy and I would enter and pray in the Mosque while Chad and Casey prayed outside.
We prayed through the whole Mosque and even climbed the watchtower and literally prayed over Mostar. We could feel the prayers of Chad and Casey as we walked through.
I learned a valuable lesson. When God closes a door…He really closes a door and He will open doors in His timing…not ours. In this instance, God literally closed and opened a door. But this also holds true for your life. I encourage you to keep your focus on God and His timing will become evident to you by His opening and closing of doors.
“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:10-11
