A pastor went to a local coffee shop and placed a sign that read “Free Prayer” on his table. Soon a customer asked the minister to pray for a need. Since then, the pastor has gone to a coffee shop weekly to intercede for others. Some pour out their hearts, such as a man whose wife had left him and who had lost several friends and family to death. Regarding this man and others, the pastor states, “Sometimes we have to move beyond the shadows of a steeple to take care of our people.”
And so he stands in the gap for others.
During Ezekiel’s day, God was looking for someone to stand in the gap for His people. He said, “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap . . . but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30). God had allowed the Babylonians to attack and cart off some of Judah’s upper crust, and they subsequently killed Judah’s king in a siege that included the plundering of the temple in Jerusalem. But His divine discipline didn’t change the people’s polluted hearts (Ezekiel 22:23-24). The leaders were lousy priests who weren’t teaching the people God’s law, and the prophets were filling the heads of God’s people with false visions (Ezekiel 22:25-29). Not pretty.
There was no one to intercede for the people (Ezekiel 22:30).
God’s eyes are searching today for believers in Jesus who will stand in the gap for those in bondage—not to the Babylonians, but to sin. One way for us to do this is to pray for and build relationships with people who need the saving grace that only Jesus can provide. He alone can free them from spiritual death and destruction (Romans 3:23-25).
By God’s strength and leading, may we stand in the gap for others today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Philippians 2:1-18
More:
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and see why praying for and reaching out to others is vital to God’s kingdom work on earth.
Next:
How can you stand in the gap for those around you who desperately need Him? What has God equipped you with to intercede for others?
gagirllive on December 3, 2016 at 7:00 am
That’s a great idea, Tom. I haven’t done that, but I have often asked servers in the restaurants I’ve been in if there was something I could pray about for them. I’m always amazed at how open people are to prayer. I guess it’s non-threatening to them. For sure, it’s a bridge to relationship and further conversation about the gospel. People are hurting and just want to know that someone cares. Just yesterday I met a lady in Walmart who answered me quite honestly when I smiled and said, “Hi, how are you?” She shared with me that she was battling cancer and asked me to pray for her. So I stood in the gap for her right there on Aisle 5 of Walmart. 🙂 So many opportunities are right in front of us when we open our hearts and eyes to see. Thank you for this today, Tom. Many, I’m sure, including me, are still standing in the gap for continued health for you too. Enjoy a blessed weekend.
Gary Shultz on December 3, 2016 at 7:06 am
Hi Tom: Sobering words from Ezekiel. It is amazing how often many OT references are appropriate for our sophisticated, high tech, trendy world. Blankets, titles, smoke & mirrors are placed over sin. In all of those disguises people labor under an ever increasing strain. Yes, we must who have God’s love and sense of urgency fill that gap. Not only to fill, but lead people to righteousness, God is concerned with a saved soul, but His interest is also in righteousness, godly living. This is why we need God’s strength and Spirit, because we can’t endure without His strength and encouragement. Yes, Tom we need to be better watchmen looking for those who are crushed under a sick worlds diet. And we also need to hold up righteousness, praying for each one God places on our path and for one another. Thanks Tom
envirotact on December 3, 2016 at 9:10 am
Would you prayer warriors on this forum please stand with me and pray for my step son, Matt. He’s a hot mess (in the parlance of our times). He has a lot of emotional scars that he tries to soothe with pot. Now the voters have made it legal in his State, so he’s even worse. He’s wrecking all the good things God has given him. Worst of all, he’s a Christian so he sprinkles the verbiage in and confuses his wife and daughter (especially when he’s high). My sweet husband is tore up over him…and of course wanted God’s best for him. Thank you for your prayers.
gagirllive on December 3, 2016 at 9:31 am
Father, I lift up Matt to You right now, asking that You will reveal to him the futility of trying to heal his wounds by his own hand. Open his eyes to see that You alone can mend the brokenness in his life—that there is no drug in the world that can give him the peace and rest that he seeks. I ask that the Holy Spirit will bring deep conviction to him that will lead him to repentance. Help him to turn away from the idols he has erected in his life and look to You, the only source of hope, joy, and peace that we have. Protect the hearts of his wife and daughter, and keep them from confusion. Help them see, even through the chaos, the reality of Your grace and love. Thank You for all the ways You are already working in this situation. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
envirotact on December 3, 2016 at 9:43 am
God bless you and thank you.
hsnpoor on December 3, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Lord, I too stand in the gap with envirotact to petition a true conversion in the heart and mind of her step-son. So often children who have been reared in a Christian home have to become prodigals to find You for themselves in their life. But, your word says that if they’ve been trained in the way they should go, they WILL return to the right path. We are confident that though he may have lost sight of you, you haven’t lost sight of him. While you work out your will in his life, I pray that you protect, strengthen and sustain his wife and daughter; build a hedge around them to deflect the mess he is making, while blessing their efforts to walk according to your will and way. Please calm the hearts of his parents and let them live to see their son brought safely home again. In Jesus name and on his authority I do pray. Amen!
gagirllive on December 3, 2016 at 12:31 pm
Amen, Kim. I receive that for my prodigals too. Thank you.