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Spiritual Warfare
Standing in the Gap
Leah Adams
Several
years ago following a surgery, I discovered anew how important it is to stand
in the gap, or pray, for others.
There
were a few days when I felt very bad. I felt weak and helpless.
Certainly,
my suffering (if it can be called that) was not on the magnitude of people who
are dealing with terminal illness, yet I felt bad enough to allow me to feel
empathy for those who suffer.
There
were several days that I did not feel like doing my Bible study or
praying. All I wanted to do was just lie still and hope the day went by
quickly.
Initially,
I felt quite guilty for not feeling like spending time with the Lord, but after
the Lord brought me through those days, I realized that He had reminded me of a
very important concept — that of intercessory prayer or standing in the gap for
others.
I
had many people say to me in the days after my surgery, “I am praying for you.”
How
those words blessed me because I knew that the person was faithfully praying
for me at a time when I could not pray for myself. I also knew that those
prayers were especially sweet to the Lord.
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.
The
is a very sad verse because 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 in 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.
My
intercessory praying has changed as a result of my experience.
I
consider it an honor and a duty to be able to stand in the gap for those who
are unable, for whatever reason, to pray for themselves.
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.
Can God change your life?
God
has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in
your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God. You
can also send us your prayer requests.
Leah Adams
Speaker
and author Leah Adams is the founder of The Point Ministries. Her passion is
for others to understand the grace and second chances offered by Jesus to all
who ask. She is a CLASS certified speaker and the author of From the Trash Pile to the
Treasure Chest: Creating a Godly Legacy Bible study. Leah is a regular
contributor at CBN.com and Internet Café Devotions. She and her husband,
Greg, live in northern Georgia. Visit Leah's website.
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