Standing in the Gap

“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.” – Ezekiel 22:30

            I’ve used the phrase “standing in the gap” with regard to praying for others. I mistakenly thought it only referred to praying for the unsaved among us, who have a gap between themselves and God, but what it really refers to is whenever we pray for ANYONE. Standing in the gap for someone is intercessory prayer. “The word ‘intercede’ comes from the Latin ‘inter’ meaning ‘between’ and ‘ced’ meaning ‘go’. So it literally means ‘go between’.” [1]

            Intercessory prayer acts like the mortar that fills the gaps in a stonewall. It goes in between the stones solidifying the structure as a whole. If you want to weaken the wall the best place to start is by striking the wall at its weakest point, the mortar. Remove the mortar and the wall collapses. The enemy knows our weakest point and will hammer away at it until we either stand strong and ward off the enemies attack or crumble, thus becoming ineffective for God by sinning.

            “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)  I ask you a question, how can we love one another if we don’t pray for them? This is part of community, loving one another and praying one for another. And part of that is ‘standing in the gap’ for our brethren, better still, for all who stand in need of prayer. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

[1]  http://myredeemerlives.com/intercession.html