Have you ever had a conversation with a friend that hit a wall just when you were ready to tell them about Jesus? You can know God’s Word, understand and answer objections to the gospel, and be able to engage in meaningful conversations. But when the person you want so much to reach is not ready to hear, none of that seems to matter.

In the 27 years of serving with Jews for Jesus around the world, I have experienced that time after time. We all have. But we don’t lose hope. We keep sowing, trusting, and waiting for the one thing that we know makes all the difference.

The apostle Paul summed it up when he told the Colossians, “Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:3, emphasis added).

No one was better qualified than Paul to present the case for Jesus effectively. But he knew that unless God opened the doors, the gospel would not go forward.

I find Paul’s prayer request both humbling and a huge relief. Yes, we need to be ready to do God’s work, but it’s up to him to prepare hearts and orchestrate situations so that our efforts will land in the right place at the right time.

Pray for God to open doors for you as well, especially among the people in your life who may seem unreachable.

Not only did Paul request prayer for open doors, but he brought his prayer partners into sacred moments of rejoicing over God’s unmistakable answers to those prayers. “For a wide door for effective work has opened to me” (1 Corinthians 16:9). And again, “A door was opened for me in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 2:12).

Today we minister during a time marked by conflict in the Middle East. Recent missile strikes in Israel and Iran have shaken the region and increased concern for many communities in Israel. In this atmosphere, conversations about faith can feel even more delicate. Many people live with uncertainty, fear, and deep questions that they rarely voice.

We never want to try forcing doors open that God is not opening. But we’ve been praying for years that God would open doors to these communities. Many of you have been praying as well. For years, our team sowed patiently and met daily to ask the Lord to guide their efforts, open hearts, and create opportunities.

God is answering these prayers even in a time marked by conflict between nations and renewed instability across the region. Rejoice with us, not only as observers but as partners whose prayers help open doors in unlikely places. And take courage. Pray for God to open doors for you as well, especially among the people in your life who may seem unreachable.