Standing in the Gap for Others

'So, Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.' – Acts 12:5

Perhaps you have come across someone who's going through something, and out of your mind you say, 'I will pray for you' or 'Friend, I will always have you in my prayers.' As simple as it may sound, that simple sentence, when put into action, can move mountains in someone else's life, especially when they can't do it on their own. 

Throughout the Bible, we've seen how people took the position of standing in the gap for others through intercession. In Genesis 18:16-33, Abraham took that position of standing in the gap for the people living in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. As we know, the people living in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had committed great sins against God, and God's wrath was about to fall on them. Abraham, knowing God's intention to destroy the cities, interceded for them, for God to spare their lives only if he found a few righteous people living in the cities.

Although God's wrath came down heavily on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham's intercession saved Lot's life and his family by the angels. Standing in the gap for others through prayer is key to the lives of believers in Christ. Not only does it express selfless acts of love, but it also develops us spiritually as we partner with the Spirit to accomplish God's purpose on earth. 

Jesus Christ taught us in Luke 6:28, 'bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.' His teachings encourage us to be ready to take up the position of standing in the gap for others. Interestingly, He says that we should pray for those who persecute us. Praying for those who do evil against us builds bridges rather than creating the divide.  Intercession not only creates space for God to work miracles in other people's lives, but it also works miracles in our lives, too. It changes us into becoming more like Jesus.

Often, when we pray, we make our prayer life all about me, myself and I. It's not wrong to pray for yourself, but prayers should go beyond us, beyond our present circumstances and beyond our present struggles. Prayer should be all-inclusive, not exclusive. Sometimes it is important to forget your present circumstance for a minute and consider praying for someone else who is struggling, in grief, in pain, and who can't do it for themselves. 

It makes a difference when you pray for others. There are people around the world who need healing, support, and a miracle, and your prayer for them will provide divine intervention in their lives. I believe that when you pray for another, angels descend to fulfil that prayer request. When you speak words of blessings, healing and victory over their lives, forces of darkness begin to lose their grip. Sometimes when you pray, you may not see things immediately, but it still makes a difference.

We are called to pray for others, Galatians 6:2 reads, 'Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.' We were never meant to carry our burdens alone; we need each other. When you understand that you have someone somewhere praying for you, it makes your burdens feel lighter. It keeps you going to know that you have people praying on your behalf.

In Acts chapter 12, we read that Peter was arrested by King Herod and put in prison. He was scheduled to be presented before a public trial on the following day. It is important to note that in Acts 12:5 it reads, 'Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying for him.' All this time, Peter was sleeping while bound with chains. While Peter was going through one of His difficult moments in life in prison, he had friends earnestly praying on his behalf. 

That very night, an angel appeared and told Peter to get up. Immediately, the chains fell off his wrists. They walked across the set of guards, and they didn't see them. His life was rescued because he had people standing in the gap for him through prayers. 

There are people around you who are counting on your prayers. They may not have great faith to pray for themselves, but they are counting on people like you. Like the friends who prayed for Peter, when you pray for others, angels show up, miracles happen, breakthroughs are seen, and the hand of God goes to work.

In Job 42:10, we learn that, 'After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before' Could it be that when we pray for others, God helps our situation get better? Job prayed for his friends while he was still suffering. His situation got better after he had prayed for his friends. Don't be tempted to let your prayers be just all about your situation; let it go beyond you and pray for others. Be willing to stand in the gap for others. 

When you come across someone who is struggling, or you hear about another who's in pain, then that's an opportunity for you to stand in the gap. It wasn't a coincidence that you heard about their struggles. God put you in the right place so you can pray for them. You may pray for others in secret, but this is what the scripture says, 'Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you' in the open.

You and I have the responsibility of praying for someone. We can also learn this from Jesus. Just before he was arrested, Jesus took time to pray for his disciples and all the believers who couldn't do it on their own. Standing in the gap for others is a gift that we have deep within us. And we can all bring out this gift of intercession when we are willing to step up for others. Ezekiel 22:30 says, "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" The question is: are you willing to stand in the gap for others? Can God count on you?