Standing in the Gap

Theme

As we pray this week, we are participating in the Story of God by repenting on behalf, and interceding for, others.

Scriptures

Ezekiel 22:30-31: “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. 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, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Daniel 9:4-10; 17-19: I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.We have not listened to your servants, the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

“Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 

“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! 

Reflect

While hiking with my young son one day we came to a rapidly flowing stream. 

There were some large stones we could step on to get across but, at the far edge of the stream, there was a larger distance from the last stone to the dry edge. 

My adult legs could stretch across to reach but there was no way my son's little legs would make it. With one foot on the last rock and the other on dry ground I reached for his hand and swung him over the rushing water to safety. 

It could be said that I was "standing in the gap" for him. This expression is used in our Ezekiel verses. The wall around the city of Jerusalem had a hole or gap in it. Since the wall around a city was its best defense in those days a hole made the city very vulnerable to its enemies. God was looking for someone to stand in the gap for Him but there was no one, causing God to pour out His judgment.

This has parallels for us today. When others are struggling we can help. We can intercede on their behalf. We can pray for them when they're too overwhelmed to pray for themselves. We can help in tangible, practical ways. We can sit with them, encourage them, remind them of God's love and care. We can petition God like we read about in Daniel, "We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, Listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!"

Pray

Lord,

Help me become a person of prayer, both for myself

and on behalf of others. 

Open my eyes to those around me who are struggling, 

needing someone who will stand in the gap,

 and help protect them from the enemy's attack. 

Bring others into my life when I need that support as well. 

Thank you for the body of Christ who can stand in the gap for one another.

Amen.