How does a man's heart open up to Christ?

In this video, Paul Washer introduces the concept of the human heart being akin to Jericho, tightly shut and resistant to outside influence. Despite their best efforts, one cannot force their way in, emphasizing the ineffectiveness of brute force in opening up the human heart to Christ. He references Colossians 4:1-4, highlighting its significance in teaching the principles of evangelism, particularly the concept of praying for an open door.

Washer shares his personal experience from seminary where he found himself overwhelmed with the demands of his studies and his evangelistic work. He humorously recalls praying for a pause in opportunities to witness so he could catch up with his academic responsibilities. His experience underscores the power and effectiveness of prayer in creating opportunities for evangelism. He advocates that prayer should be the first step in every endeavor, particularly in evangelism. He emphasizes that the doors of opportunities will open when prayed for diligently, eliminating the need for force or gimmicks.

Colossians 4:2 (NKJV): "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains."

One of the things that I mainly teach people is this. Again, the heart of man is like Jericho. It's tightly shut up. And you can try to knock that wall down all day long, but it's not going to work. In Colossians chapter 4, 1 through 4 is one of the most amazing passages on evangelism.

And Paul says, pray that God give us an open door. I remember one time at seminary I actually prayed. I was getting behind in my studies because I worked with street people and stuff and I was witnessing so much and preaching so much on the street. And I actually said, kind of tongue in cheek, Lord, I'm not praying Colossians 4, 1 through 4 today. I'm not going to pray for open doors to witness, because if I don't get into that library and do some studying, I'm in trouble.

And The whole point is, if you pray diligently, God, open doors that I can share the gospel, you will see doors open. And that's the first part of evangelism. The first part of everything is prayer. Pray for an open door. Then you don't have to knock them down or try some gimmick to get in.