Stand in the Gap

Life is funny. We get all jazzed up in our prayer life and our walk with God, ready to break open the gates of hell like some ninja warrior….and then, life happens. We get busy and mindless and begin to neglect the calling that God has put upon our life. Yes, we have many daily responsibilities, but our true purpose in this world cannot be lost in our hustle. We have a job to do for the Kingdom – we are here as witnesses for Jesus and to intercede for those who are weak, lost and broken. Nothing else really matters.

The words of an evangelist stick with me to this day, “No one prayed for him.” He was speaking about a time when he questioned God as to why something terrible happened to a child. God’s response to him was that no one interceded for the little boy. The message sends chills down my spine; the words “the laborers are few” ring through my ears (Matthew 9:37, Luke 10:2). How many times have I been so caught up in my own world that I neglected to pray for someone in need?!

God is seeking for us to stand in the gap. Ezekiel 22:30, “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.” The next verse goes on to tell us the destruction that comes when God’s chosen are unwilling (or too busy) to intercede. Our prayers can change the outcome of a situation. It is imperative that we understand this and allow Jesus to use us for His will and His purpose.

Our bodies must be presented as a living sacrifice, it is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1). This means that when we go into prayer, we give ourselves fully (both physically and spiritually) to God and allow the Holy Spirit to move how He pleases. When we do, the words that are spoken become His and do not go out void. Isaiah 55:11, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” I’ve said this before, but that scripture is so powerful; as we pray in the Spirit, the words that come out of our mouth move the spiritual world and fulfill God’s purpose.

It is His will for us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). That scripture is not instructing us to continuously pray for the same thing over and over; it is an instruction that we give ourselves continuously to prayer. In our busy worlds, the discipline can get lost at times; but, I encourage you to focus your thoughts on knowing that a soul is impacted when you pray. You will find it brings a desire and a burden to intercede more often. Learn to listen to the words that bellow out in your prayer (even if you cannot understand them) and acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is moving through you – it awakens your spirit and gives authority to your intercession. Don’t squander your talents either in times of exhaustion, push yourself further in the Spirit and allow Jesus to multiply the anointing He has placed on your life.

Lord, give me a greater desire to intercede for those who are hurting and lost. Let my prayers rip through the darkness of this world to accomplish Your will. Help me to give myself fully to You as a living sacrifice and stand in the gap as You have called me to do. In Jesus Name, Amen.