Pastor’s Corner: “Standing in the Gap”
Ezekiel 22:30 (NIV) – 30 “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.
God uses people all the time to accomplish his purposes. Here are a few examples from the Bible: God used Joseph to save his family from starvation by bringing them to Egypt (Genesis 50:20). Moses begged God not to destroy the Hebrews when they had worshipped the golden calf (Psalm 106:23). Esther stood in the gap with prayer and fasting for her people, saving them from Haman who wanted them destroyed (Esther 8).
After God created the earth, he said, “It was very good” (Genesis 1:31). There was no divide between God and anyone on the earth; however, after Adam and Eve disobeyed, sin created a gap between God and humanity, cutting all future generations off from God’s best for their lives. Fortunately, God himself stood in the gap for us by sending his Son, Jesus, in human form, to live as a man, die for our sins, and rise from the dead so we could be restored into a personal relationship with Him.
Part of our responsibility as followers of Jesus is to pray for God’s intervention in the lives of others. The idea of “standing in the gap” comes from Ezekiel 22:30. God’s heart is moved to act when people cry out on behalf of others. In fact, this verse indicates that God is searching and waiting for people to stand in the gap so he may respond mercifully.
Scripture tells us that when we say prayers of intercession, we are building bridges between God and the people for whom we pray. Remember, this isn’t just a prayer, it’s a deliberate action. It isn’t just saying words, it’s a construction project. In 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (NKJV), Paul writes: Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
The word “intercessor” is commonly used by Christians to describe someone who acts as a go-between, pleading to God on behalf of those in dire circumstances. We read in Galatians 6:2 that we are to “carry each other’s burdens.” One way we do that is by lifting others’ concerns to God in prayer. When the circumstances or our brothers and sisters become overwhelming, we can be their voice, calling out to God for help. We are also called to stand in the gap for those who have not yet found salvation in Christ.
Because Jesus has done the work of intercession and still intercedes for us with the Father, and because the Holy Spirit intercedes for us as well, helping us un-burden ourselves, we can now intercede for others. The Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit have built bridges to God that we may cross over, so that we, too, can be in that bridge-building business. We have the incredible privilege of building a span from heaven to earth, from God to the person for whom we are praying.
Prayer is the most aggressive, offensive, pro-active, invasive work you can ever engage in. Just as many characters in the Bible bridged the gap for others, we have the privilege of interceding proactively on behalf of our family, friends, and those who do not yet follow Jesus. The Enemy is very active in the world today; he knows his time is short. Let’s urgently and intentionally pray for God’s will and protection so can we stand firm against Satan’s plans and see the kingdom of God.
In His Grace
Pastor Hamilton