STANDING
IN THE GAP –
When Israel had been delivered from Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, they began their journey. Moses went up the mountain to talk to God. The people angered God when they built a golden calf to represent God. God told Moses that He was going to destroy them and would make of Moses a great nation. Moses prayed, “Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.” (Ex. 32:12) So God relented and did not bring disaster on the people. In Ezekiel 22, God lists Judah’s sins against Him. They had broken their covenant and deserved judgment – just like the people in Moses’ time. However, v 30-31 says, “I looked for a man 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 none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done…” The parallel between the two examples is the same down to the prayer…Moses represented the people to God and God showed them mercy…Judah had no one to represent them, “to stand in the gap” and they received judgment. Moses shared God’s view of mercy and appropriated it for the people and opened the way for God to move. Judah had no one!
Even when God has declared judgment, He will extend Grace and Mercy to all when we pray. Jonah cried from the belly of the great fish and God delivered him. The people of Nineveh prayed and “God repented of the evil that he had said he would do unto them; and he did it not.” It is our responsibility to “stand in the gap” for those in need. God hand is moved by prayer even on behalf of others. Our prayer will release God’s hand to move in their lives. Batteries are connected by cables to supply power to an engine. Many times sin brings a gap between God’s power and the need. We need people to stand in the gap and be the conductor that will transfer the current of God’s power to the need of the people. American is in great need today for intercessors to cry out for healing of wounds, hurts and to bring this great nation back to God. We the intercessors are those people.
We must first understand the power source. A generator can deliver what is needed during a power outage. It is more sufficient than a flashlight which will only give a small light because it runs on batteries. Today we need those to pray that are connected to THE power supply. Only by revelation can we comprehend how great our power source is when we are connected, praying according to His Word, with the love of God flowing from our hearts. Whatever the need, nothing will be too hard for our God. We must spiritually put one hand on the need and the other lift to heaven’s supply. “He will call upon me, and I will answer him.” Ps 91:15 “Ask and it will be given to you.” Matt 7:7 Samuel did not want to sin by not interceding in prayer. "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way" (1 Samuel 12:23). The possibilities of prayer run parallel with the promises of God. Prayer removes the hindrances and secures the promise. It opens the way for God to work. James says, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” What need will you represent today? Who is in your path today? Keep your focus on the source.
When Israel had been delivered from Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, they began their journey. Moses went up the mountain to talk to God. The people angered God when they built a golden calf to represent God. God told Moses that He was going to destroy them and would make of Moses a great nation. Moses prayed, “Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.” (Ex. 32:12) So God relented and did not bring disaster on the people. In Ezekiel 22, God lists Judah’s sins against Him. They had broken their covenant and deserved judgment – just like the people in Moses’ time. However, v 30-31 says, “I looked for a man 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 none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done…” The parallel between the two examples is the same down to the prayer…Moses represented the people to God and God showed them mercy…Judah had no one to represent them, “to stand in the gap” and they received judgment. Moses shared God’s view of mercy and appropriated it for the people and opened the way for God to move. Judah had no one!
Even when God has declared judgment, He will extend Grace and Mercy to all when we pray. Jonah cried from the belly of the great fish and God delivered him. The people of Nineveh prayed and “God repented of the evil that he had said he would do unto them; and he did it not.” It is our responsibility to “stand in the gap” for those in need. God hand is moved by prayer even on behalf of others. Our prayer will release God’s hand to move in their lives. Batteries are connected by cables to supply power to an engine. Many times sin brings a gap between God’s power and the need. We need people to stand in the gap and be the conductor that will transfer the current of God’s power to the need of the people. American is in great need today for intercessors to cry out for healing of wounds, hurts and to bring this great nation back to God. We the intercessors are those people.
We must first understand the power source. A generator can deliver what is needed during a power outage. It is more sufficient than a flashlight which will only give a small light because it runs on batteries. Today we need those to pray that are connected to THE power supply. Only by revelation can we comprehend how great our power source is when we are connected, praying according to His Word, with the love of God flowing from our hearts. Whatever the need, nothing will be too hard for our God. We must spiritually put one hand on the need and the other lift to heaven’s supply. “He will call upon me, and I will answer him.” Ps 91:15 “Ask and it will be given to you.” Matt 7:7 Samuel did not want to sin by not interceding in prayer. "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way" (1 Samuel 12:23). The possibilities of prayer run parallel with the promises of God. Prayer removes the hindrances and secures the promise. It opens the way for God to work. James says, “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” What need will you represent today? Who is in your path today? Keep your focus on the source.