Stand in the gap

Prayer baffles me and comforts me all at the same time! Some prayers are answered directly in amazing ways. More often, I pray in faith, without seeing immediate results. In days long past, my prayers were often childish - “Lord, give me; do this; provide for me.” My prayers showed my lack of contentment in His provision and confidence in His wisdom! Now, most of my prayers are just ‘being with’ the Lord, aware of His Presence, knowing that there is Somebody bigger than I am that is in charge of this thing called, life.
Oh, yes, I still ask directly for He invites me to do so. For example, yesterday, I mentioned the name of a friend far away who was going through a difficult surgery in prayer many times through the day. Did God need a reminder of Robin’s condition? No, He is all-knowing, and yet, He directs us to pray for one another, so I did!


There is a form of prayer we call intercession that must not be neglected. An intercessor is one who stands before God on behalf of another. It is a priestly role that all disciples can perform for others.

A story from Abraham’s experience, told in the 18th chapter of Genesis, teaches us something of this kind of prayer. The Lord revealed to Abraham that He planned to destroy Sodom because “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous." (Genesis 18:20, NIV) Abraham steps up on behalf of the city and engages the Lord in a conversation that looks like bargaining. " Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?" (Genesis 18:23, NIV) “Will you destroy the city if there are 50 righteous in it?” And so it goes, until Abraham reaches the number 10! Boldly he appeals to the Lord on behalf of the righteous in the city. While there is much mystery in the whole interaction, we learn that there is a valid role for us in praying for those who are under the judgment decrees of God!

We cannot shrug our shoulders and simply leave the world to its fate! Somehow God wants us to get involved prayerfully. One of the by-products of genuine intercession is what it produces in us. When we are actively praying for a nation, a city, or even our family - not ritual prayers, not tired prayers - it creates concern, love, and engagement. We become people who work to make a difference. The seeds we sow, change the harvest! Yes, too, somehow our loving, sincere prayers offered on behalf of those who are ignorant or apathetic towards Christ, makes a difference in Heaven. I don’t understand how, but I know what the Scripture teaches and reveals!

Are you a faithful intercessor?
Be a priest on behalf of your world!

When you go before the Lord, bring them to Him, seeking His gracious mercy. Amazing things can happen.
Here’s a word from the Word. May the Spirit make it a call to action for each of us.

"Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice. “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land.
I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.
So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” (Ezekiel 22:29-31, NLT)

Let’s stand in the gap!
_______________

I have a Savior,
He's pleading in glory,
A dear, loving Savior,
Though earth friends be few;
And now He is watching
In tenderness o'er me,
And oh, that my Savior
Were your Savior, too!

I have a Father:
To me He has given
A hope for eternity,
Blessed and true;
And soon will He call me
To meet Him in heaven,
But oh, that He'd let me
Bring you with me, too!

I have a robe
'Tis resplendent in whiteness
Awaiting in glory
My wondering view;
Oh, when I receive it all
Shining in brightness,
Dear friends, could I see you
Receiving one, too!

For you I am praying,
For you I am praying,
For you I am praying,
I'm praying for you.

I Am Praying For You
Cluff, Samuel O'Malley / Sankey, Ira D.

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