DEVOTION: PREPARING TO ENGAGE THE GATES

30. December 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: UNLEASHED2LOVE (Unleashed to Love) 

Key Verse: Psalm 24:7

INTRODUCTION: TIMING, CONSISTENCY, AND THE CALL BACK TO THE ALTAR

Shalom, people of God.

In the interest of time, and also in the fullness of time, I will not go deeply into everything that gates represent today. However, it is important to understand that gates are spiritual access points. They mark transitions, authority, and movement into new seasons. That is why we engage the gates of every month, the gates of every year, and especially the gate of a new season like 2026, through prayer and fasting.

As we have celebrated Christmas, enjoyed food, family, and rest, it is now time to return to consistency, spiritual routine, and active fellowship with believers. Seasons of celebration must always be followed by seasons of consecration.

📖 Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”

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WHY SATAN FEARS A PRAYING CHURCH

Why does Satan aggressively fight a praying church?

Because a praying church:

• Disturbs his camp

• Breaks oppression

• Brings deliverance

• Causes people to flourish

• Releases breakthrough

Satan loves environments of division, rebellion, disobedience, offense, and gossip. He thrives where the Holy Spirit is discredited and where unity is broken.

We see this clearly in Scripture.

📖 Matthew 12:24–26 (NKJV)

“Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, ‘This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’ … If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.”

Jesus was accused of using demonic power to heal. This was not ignorance. It was a strategy. Once Satan succeeds in spreading lies and discrediting God’s work, especially in public spaces like social media today, he gains room to operate freely.

When the church is discredited:

• Internal conflicts increase

• Correction is resisted

• People get offended easily

• Gossip multiplies

• Spiritual authority weakens

The devil is very strategic. He knows which emotional buttons to press. He understands human weakness. But the church must understand spiritual warfare.

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THE CHURCH, THE GATES OF HELL, AND TERRITORIAL WARFARE

📖 Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)

”…and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Gates are defensive structures, not weapons. This means hell is positioned defensively. The church is called to advance.

Demons love territories without resistance.

📖 Mark 5:10 (NKJV)

“Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.”

When the church fails to function, principalities gain ground. That is why the church is always under attack. And that is why unity, prayer, and holiness are non-negotiable.

📖 Matthew 26:31 (NKJV)

“I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”

The enemy attacks leadership to scatter vision. When rumors arise, do not spread them. Do not speculate. Enter warfare prayer immediately before poison spreads.

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GRACE: OUR STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY AHEAD

Yesterday’s devotion reminded us of grace. Through Jesus Christ, we have received grace and truth.

📖 John 1:16–17 (NKJV)

“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”

We are no longer under the curse of the law, which produces sin and leads to death. We have been redeemed by grace. And as we go into 2026, this grace will be essential.

📖 James 4:6 (NKJV)

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The humble will receive greater grace for the season ahead.

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A CALL TO CONSECRATION: FASTING, PRAYER, AND UNITY

Take note carefully:

📌 From January 5th to January 30th, we will fast 6am to 6pm daily.

📌 Weekends will be half-day fasting.

📌 We will have prayer lunches and corporate gatherings.

Prepare yourself. 2026 will be a year of great testimonies, but it will also be a year where choices matter.

Some will walk in obedience, unity, and consistency. They will flourish.

Others may struggle, not because God failed them, but because they chose disobedience, isolation, or offense.

📖 Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

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ENGAGING THE GATE OF 2026

2026 will come with both good news and difficult news. But fear is not our portion.

📖 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

On 31st night, we will tarry.

We will pray.

We will make declarations.

We will cry unto the Lord.

And the Lord Himself will show us mercy and compassion as a church and as a people.

📖 Lamentations 3:22–23 (NKJV)

“Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed… They are new every morning.”

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FINAL EXHORTATION

Beloved, do not rush through this devotion.

Open your Bible.

Have your chair time.

Underline. Highlight. Pray the Scriptures.

Let these Scriptures become personal weapons for your life.

Start the fireworks now in prayer.

And I will see you soon by God's grace as we engage the gate together.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and don’t forget to share a word of prayer for me , your pastor as I need it to continue to lead you in truth and humility.

Share this devotion and put on your garment of war in the spirit now 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Shalom.