Our country, The Bahamas, has been in a whirlwind since Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. People are hurting and feeling hopeless. Fast forward to 2020 and on top of that devastation, we are now faced with a global pandemic that has brought sickness, financial hardships, and death. As we navigate this “new normal” I think about all the persons reporting that they just don’t know how or what to do; they don’t know who to turn to or where to turn.
My nature is one of supporting and helping. However, God has quickened me in another area that I can lend my support. Standing in the gap through prayer for those who just don’t know what to do. Those who are hurting and even though you give them a meal or groceries, their very spirit is broken.
As believers when we offer support, we can do it monetarily, but we can also tug on the hem of God’s garment in prayer for those who just don’t have the words.
The prophet Ezekiel gives us the words of the Lord in Ezekiel 22:30,
I looked for someone 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 no one.
NIV
Although this verse deals with the sins of Jerusalem, I believe that we have permission to apply it directly to our lives. It is a very sad verse. Jerusalem was in a sad and horrible state and the Lord was saying through the prophet Ezekiel that He was searching for someone who would intercede for Jerusalem and do what was necessary for her salvation. When He looked, He found no one who would intercede for the nation and the city.
There are times when we are in sad shape because of illness or life circumstances and we need the prayers of others to hold us up and encourage us. We may not even be able to pray on our own behalf because of our situation. That is when I believe God calls Christians to especially pray on behalf of others. This kind of praying requires commitment on the part of the person doing the praying. It is not just a quick one-time prayer, but rather a request that is brought before the Lord many times until the person being prayed for sees results.
It is my hope that you will take very seriously the honor that you have of standing in the gap and praying for other people.