Standing in the Gap

A few months ago, a brother and I were discussing prayer, and a point was raised on how people say things like “we are praying for you” or “I am praying for you” when they really don’t mean it. It has become like a catchphrase among believers said in response to an expression of hurt, pain, or a need, and sometimes it’s used as a parting phrase by someone who may be considered a spiritual authority. It would be great if people really kept those words when they said it. It would be wonderful if we truly pray when we tell someone we would pray or we prayed for them. Prayer is a gift from God to us, a gift that can be used to bless our lives and to bless the lives of others.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior. —   1 Timothy 2:1-3, NIV

We are living in unprecedented times and as children of God, we can only be victorious by spending time on our knees in prayers. Our prayer should not cease (1 Thessalonians 5:17), we must keep oiling the lamp of our prayers.  When you pray, are your prayers centered on only your needs? God designed us to support one another and this includes support and encouragement in prayers.  The world needs our prayers. We should learn to stand in the gap and intercede for the church, the nations of the world, our leaders, community, environment, family and loved ones. God is calling us to intercede for the world and He seeks a man to stand in the gap.  In Ezekiel 22, God sought a man of prayer, a man who would stand in the gap for the redemption of the Israelites from the destruction that awaited them but found no one. “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one” – Ezekiel 22:30.

Thankfully, Jesus Christ came to reconcile us back to God. We can’t suffer destruction because Jesus has paid the price. He is the greatest intercessor and we should follow His example. Hebrews 7:25 (NIV) tells us that “he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them”. Jesus exemplified kindness, love, and compassion and intercession comes from a place of kindness, love, and compassion. Some of us only engage in intercessory prayers when a loved one is passing through hardship or suffering because we are burdened for a solution, however, we don’t need to be directly affected to intercede for others.  When God gives us victory over a challenge, one of the reasons He allowed it in the first place is because we can be instrumental in helping others overcome a similar challenge. We may be able to stand in the gap for them in prayers, lead and support them out of it because we know how it feels to be in their position. In the post  When You Walk Through Fire  I said that “Moses had to first go through the wilderness alone before he could lead the children of Israel through it. He knew the terrain and what to expect because he was familiar with the wilderness”. If God has kept you through your wilderness experience, stand in the gap for those around you passing through theirs.

The first intercessory prayers we see from the Bible were made by Abraham for Sodom where Lot, who was both his nephew and half-brother resided. In Genesis 18:16-33, God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their grievous sins but He informs Abraham about His decision. Abraham had a compassionate heart and he pleads with God on their behalf. 

Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? — Genesis 18: 23-24, NIV

Abraham pleads with God five more times, each time reducing the number of righteous people required to keep the city from the proposed destruction (from 50 to 10). This shows that God was willing to spare Sodom and Gomorrah, even with just 10 righteous people. God is merciful, but He is equally just. Abraham’s intercessory prayer acknowledged God’s righteousness and justice. Abraham prayed and pleaded with God respectfully, humbly, and persistently. Sometimes intercessory prayer requires persistence, and we learn how to wait on God by praying persistently. God did not find 10 righteous people in Sodom but He preserved Lot and his family.

If you know how to pray for yourself, then you know how to pray for others. It is not a matter of ability but willingness and availability. Share on X

In the book of Esther chapters 4 – 7, there was a decree to kill the Jews. This decree was irreversible, yet Esther decided to fast and pray for the redemption of her people from a seemingly impossible situation. She did not only intercede in prayers, but she also took a decision to risk her life by going into the King’s presence uninvited. This action could lead to her death if she did not find favour with the King, but she prevailed because she prayed. Essentially, she put others before herself. Indeed, standing in the gap means we are putting the needs of others before our own needs.

If you know how to pray for yourself, then you know how to pray for others. It is not a matter of ability but willingness and availability. We can also ask the Holy Spirit to teach and direct us on how to pray for others. Sometimes if we are burdened or led to pray for someone within our reach, it is not wrong to ask them what requests they want to make before God. Be specific and detailed in your prayers of intercession, when we are specific it shows we are genuinely  concerned and not just trying to fulfill all righteousness. Do you have loved ones who haven’t embraced salvation? Pray for their salvation persistently. I have personally discovered that when I pray for someone who hurt me, my heart softens towards them. Intercessory prayer brings people together and influences how we feel about challenges. Start today, take out some time in your prayer routine daily or weekly for specific intercessory prayers. Don’t forget to follow up and give thanks to God as He answers them. Stand in the gap.