Standing in the Gap
In Ezekiel chapter 22 God is angry at the moral corruption of Israel. At least 17 different kinds of sin were listed in this indictment against Jerusalem.
God looked for a man that would advocate for the people of Jerusalem but found none to lead them to repentance and draw the nation back from the brink of destruction.
Verse 30 says, “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.”
In the ancient cities the defensible wall surrounding the city guarded it from attack and a breach in the wall left it vulnerable to enemy invasion. A soldier or armed guard would be stationed there to protect the city from infiltration. ‘Spiritually when a community or a nation falls into rebellion, injustice, or idolatry, a “gap” forms between a Holy God and sinful people.’
To ‘stand in the gap’ is defined as one who acts as a spiritual intercessor, defender, or mediator. Someone who personally or in prayer steps up to protect and defend people, groups, communities or nations.
We are called to do this.
There are many biblical examples for us to see:
Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom if any righteous people could be found within. Genesis 18.
Moses interceded in Exodus 32 when the Israelites sinned and worshipped the golden calf and God was ready to destroy them. God listened – verse 14 “So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.”
Aaron also interceded in Numbers 16:48. He stood between the living and the dead with his censor to halt the deadly plague.
The ultimate fulfillment of standing in the gap is Jesus Christ, ‘who bridged the infinite divide between a holy God and sinful humanity through His sacrifice on the cross.’ Hebrews 7:25, “He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
He is our example for emulating.
Hebrews 8:34 says Jesus is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. We also have the Holy Spirit who intercedes for those who belong to Christ, who helps us in our weaknesses, according to the will of God. Hebrews 8:26,27
We are called “to stand in the gap” also. To pray protection over all those that God puts on our hearts.
I pray for my grandkids- of course they are always in my heart! I pray physical protection over them as they are out in the world, in public schools, and they all play sports. I pray against the lies they hear every day, and the things that tear them down instead of showing them how God loves them; always praying for their salvation. Praying they would grow to be men and women of God.
We can include the schools in our prayer lists – they should be safe places, teaching truth and values, and they are not. They cannot be if they are of the world.
As the elections draw near, we are called to pray for God’s will over our nation. I pray we return to be ‘one Nation under God’ and I request that we encourage all our Christian friends to vote. Don’t think your voice doesn’t matter- thousands can be misled and stay home. Vote for your biblical values instead of a person. Stand in the gap for our nation!
One other passion that has developed is praying for the church. Anyone / anyplace that stands for God and speaks truth will be under attack. We need to pray over our pastors, elders, missionaries, teachers, and staff. To cover the studies, classes, and services. Pray for the families and people that make up our church ‘family’. Marriages are under attack; children are under attack, and prayer protection is vital.
Our church meets, as I imagine most do, to pray over the services, worship time and congregation. If you go to BV, I encourage you to join us in room C every Sunday at 8am. It would be amazing to fill the room with prayer warriors interceding for our worship.
God places situations and people on our thoughts and before our minds (sometimes at 3am) to be the person that is called to stand in the gap. To purpose to be protection; to be armed and standing firm in the breach, is a different thought process- maybe a whole new level of prayer.
Until next week my faithful prayer warriors,
Debbie
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