Today’s Open Heaven devotional carries a word that many of us need but rarely expect — a gentle warning that love, beautiful as it is, can sometimes become a quiet cage. Pastor Adeboye draws from his own life and from Scripture to show that well-meaning people closest to us can unknowingly stand between us and the purposes of God. If you have ever felt pulled back by someone who loves you, or if you suspect you may be the one doing the pulling, this devotional is written for you. Settle your heart and let the Holy Spirit speak clearly today.
Open Heaven for June 11, 2026
Topic: Love Should Not Hinder Gods Will
Devotional: Open Heaven (RCCG)
Date: 2026-06-11
Bible reading: 1 Samuel 17:26-31 (KJV)
Memory verse: But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. – Matthew 16:23 (KJV)
In December 2018, I went for the RCCG’s annual Let’s-Go-A-Fishing evangelism programme, as I usually do. The roads were bad, but I didn’t let that bother me because I was already used to travelling on bad roads. However, the roads were so bad that year that by the third day of the programme, my body broke down completely, and I had to spend Christmas Day in bed. When it was time to return to Redemption City, I was so weak physically that I couldn’t go by road. Therefore, arrangements were made for a helicopter to transport me. When the helicopter arrived, a crowd of people gathered around it, making it difficult for me to get on board. My protocol team managed to get me on board the helicopter; however, the crowd made it impossible for it to take off. They clung to the helicopter, and the situation became so charged that one of its windows broke. To God’s glory, I survived that encounter and returned home safely.
Sometimes, people who love you may think that they are acting in your best interests; however, their actions might be causing more harm to you than good. The people who gathered around the helicopter, as I narrated above, didn’t do so because they wanted to hurt me. They gathered because they love me, but they didn’t know that their actions might have seriously harmed me.
In today’s Bible reading, Eliab was trying to protect David as every big brother would do. His younger brother had no combat training whatsoever, yet he was determined to challenge a seasoned warrior. If you were in Eliab’s shoes, you would also have done everything possible to prevent David from facing Goliath. However, even though he had good intentions, his actions might have prevented David from fulfilling his destiny.
Beloved, you must be careful to know when your loved ones are acting in a manner that would limit you from fulfilling God’s plan for your life. In Matthew 16:21-23, Peter, who had just declared that Jesus is the Son of God, started to rebuke the Master because He began to talk about His impending death. He obviously loved Jesus, yet he almost became a stumbling block to the Lord fulfilling His earthly assignment. I pray that God will help you discern whenever your loved ones’ actions are hindering His will for your life. May He give you the courage to refuse to allow their words and actions prevent you from doing His will, in Jesus’ name.
Source: Open Heaven (RCCG) — official devotional
Open Heaven Prayer Points for Today
These Open Heaven prayer points for today are original PrayerPrompt content — declarations and a reflection to turn today’s message into prayer.
Prayer Points
- Lord, grant me spiritual discernment to recognise when human affection is steering me away from Your divine assignment, and give me the courage to choose Your will above every other voice.
- Father, I pray for every person I love — let my care for them build them up toward their God-given destiny rather than become a barrier that holds them back.
- Holy Spirit, whenever I am tempted to protect someone from a path You have ordained for them, restrain my hand and align my heart with Yours.
- God, heal every relationship where the pursuit of Your will has caused tension or misunderstanding, and bring a peace that only You can provide.
- Lord, I ask that You soften my heart to receive correction whenever my good intentions are working against Your perfect intentions, just as Peter needed to be redirected.
- Father, raise up Davids in this generation who will not be silenced by the doubt or fear of those who love them but do not yet see what You see in them.
- Lord, preserve the lives and callings of Your servants who are pressing forward in Your will despite opposition from those nearest to them — let no helicopter window of destiny be shattered by the crowd.
- God, make me someone whose love empowers others to soar rather than someone whose fear clips their wings. Let my love always look like Yours.
Declarations
- I declare that the plans God has for my life are not subject to the approval or comfort of those around me — His will stands, and I walk in it boldly.
- I am sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and I will not mistake human love for divine direction when the two are in conflict.
- I declare that I am a builder of destinies, not a barrier to them — the people I love are free to pursue God fully because of how I love them.
- No voice of fear, however well-intentioned, has authority over the calling God has placed on my life — I move forward in faith and not in fear.
- I declare that love and obedience to God are not opposites in my life; I can honour the people I love and still fully honour the God who called me.
Reflection
Take a quiet moment today to honestly examine the relationships closest to you — not with suspicion, but with prayerful awareness. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you whether there is anyone whose voice you have elevated above God’s, or whether your own protective instincts have ever dimmed someone else’s boldness. The goal is not to love less, but to love wisely — anchored in God’s perspective rather than our own fears. True love always leaves room for God to work.
Pray With PrayerPrompt Today
Test Your Understanding
Answer these 5 questions on today's devotional, then see how you did.
