4 Reasons We Stand in the Gap

I recall the first time a dear friend stated, “I’m standing in the gap for you.” I had no idea what she meant. To me, The Gap was a store. It meant a shopping trip to find some bare necessities. Not something you do.

A Gap. A Hole. A Break in the Wall.

Good ole’ Webster defines “gap” as a hole or space where something is missing. We see this terminology used only twice in God’s Word. In Ezekiel, God looked for an intercessor, someone who would willingly fix the break in the hedge. Someone who would go out of their way to pray. Take up the slack. Get on their knees.

The Israelites had slid…deep into sin. They had ignored God’s plea to repent. Instead, they lived just as they pleased. Sound familiar? The plea was both literal and figurative. There were protective walls around the city that were crumbling and falling apart. Due to the unwillingness to turn away from sin, the spiritual walls had fallen down as well.

You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the LORD. Ezekiel 13:5

We stand in the gap because…

1. Maybe no one else will. Maybe God is calling you to step up and repair the wall. To be the one who will commit to praying for your neighbors, co-workers, friends & family members who don’t know the Lord.
2. Maybe you are able. Maybe God has allowed you to be encountered with a need because the other person is struggling or under attack and God is penetrating your heart to be moved. To be the one who will knock on heaven’s door and persevere to the very end.
3. Maybe you will be changed. Maybe God is opening your eyes to something more…to experience Him in bigger ways than ever before.
4. Maybe you will experience great joy. Maybe you will begin to feel and empathize for the one you are interceding for. Maybe you will be able to place yourself in their shoes. And guess what? When the prayer is answered and the gap is filled, you share in the joy.

I’ve been praying for a dear friend over the past couple of weeks and today she called me with news of answered prayer. I was overjoyed to share in her happiness. When we stand in the gap and intercede on the behalf of others, something happens. God changes us. He moves us. He proves His Word to be true. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 

Are you willing to look beyond yourself?

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. Ezekiel 22:30

Don’t be a no one

Have you been blessed by someone standing in the gap for you? Please share!