Standing in the Gap

As we entered this New Year many people were saying ‘Where has the time gone?’ It’s incredible how days seem to be shorter as the time goes by. Or perhaps one could say there’s a lot more to do in the time we have, than in the past.

When I read the Scripture I like to imagine how things must have been in olden times. My most inspiring times of Bible study are when I read about men and women who were sold out to God. They weren’t afraid to stand in the gap in prayer, and speak the truth. They were great people of faith: Abraham, Moses, Jacob, David, Jehoshaphat, Esther, Jeremiah, Ezekiel Paul, Peter, Nehemiah and many others.

They prayed and spoke God’s Word to the people. Some of them spent a lot of time, days, months and even years, in God’s presence, interceding, praying or listening to God, for the sake of the people. One of these men was Moses. Every time he was called Moses came to listen to God and then he led God’s people. He stood between God and the people and made intercession for them.

But nowadays there seem to be fewer and fewer people willing to give their lives to standing in the gap. Either the busyness of life has taken most of their time, or they simply don’t want to. Standing in the gap requires sacrifice, consecration, time in prayer and the Word. Intercession is the source of power for the Church and nation, just as a boiler is the source of heat in winter time.

‘There is no power like that of prevailing prayer, of Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweat of blood. Add to this list from the records of the church your personal observation and experience, and always there is the cost of passion unto blood. Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God’ Samuel Chadwick.

When I read Ezekiel 22:30 I feel God is calling all of us to stand in the gap. He still looks for someone to build up the wall; someone to seek Him in Spirit and truth. How different the world would look, how different the state of our nations would be, if there were more sanctified priestly souls! These souls have the power to bless, for they intercede with sanctified hearts. They never begin their daily time of intercessory prayer without having first brought to the cross all that is unholy in their lives, so that their old self can be crucified there with Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb. What we need is more people standing in the gap, in fervent prayer!

Prayer: Jesus, please unveil to me more about the ministry of prayer. Please teach me how to pray; to pray for my life, family, nation, friend and Church, to pray and stand in the gap. Help me to answer the call for intercession. Amen.

 
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