Open Heaven Daily Devotional For April 17, 2026: Title - Reversing Barrenness

DATE: Friday, April 17, 2026

TOPIC: Reversing Barrenness

MEMORY VERSE

“He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.”

— Psalm 113:9

BIBLE READING

2 Kings 4:8–17

• This passage tells the story of a generous woman from Shunem who consistently showed kindness to the prophet Elisha. She and her husband even prepared a small room for him in their home whenever he passed by. Because of her kindness and service, God used Elisha to declare that she would have a son, even though she had been barren and her husband was already old. Just as the prophet said, the woman later conceived and gave birth to a son.

MESSAGE

Many years ago, a woman who longed for a child regularly visited her pastor for prayers. After praying for her many times without seeing results, the pastor wondered why her situation remained unchanged when others he had prayed for had already received their children.

Eventually, the woman revealed that she had once attempted to terminate a pregnancy, but complications occurred during the procedure. To save her life, the doctors had to remove her womb. Shocked by this revelation, the pastor asked how she expected to conceive without a womb. After that conversation, he gradually avoided her.

When the woman noticed this, she decided to seek God directly. She said to herself, “Instead of going to my pastor, I will go straight to my Maker.”

One night, she had a dream. In the dream, she was standing naked when a large man approached her holding an animal skin. He wrapped the skin around her stomach and disappeared. That encounter marked the end of her barrenness. Later, she miraculously gave birth—not just once, but to five children.

This testimony reminds us that God can reverse situations that appear completely impossible. In Genesis 21:1–2, God revived the bodies of Abraham and Sarah and blessed them with a child in their old age. In 1 Samuel 1:4–20, He remembered Hannah and opened her womb.

Similarly, in today’s Bible reading, the Shunammite woman showed kindness and hospitality to Elisha. Though she initially doubted the prophecy that she would have a child, God still fulfilled His promise because of her heart of service.

Beloved, if you are trusting God for fruitfulness—whether in the area of children, career, ministry, or any other part of life—continue to serve and honor Him faithfully. Hold firmly to His promises. God never disappoints those who trust in Him.

I pray that the Lord will reverse every form of barrenness in your life and cause you to be fruitful in all areas, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

PRAYER POINT

Father, please make me fruitful in every area of my life.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

1 Kings 21–22

AUTHOR:

Pastor E. A. Adeboye