Standing in the gap before God means interceding on behalf of someone or a group of people, such as a country or nation, in prayer. This resonated with me deeply, very recently, when I realized how little time I spend in prayer for my country.
I’m never able to read through Isaiah or Jeremiah without thinking about the United States and how closely the sins of our country today resemble those of Israel and Judah. It has been said that what one generation tolerates, the next accepts and we have tolerated ourselves right into the muck and scum of depravity and immorality.
What are we to do? Pray. We are to pray; we are to stand in the gap before God and pray on behalf of our nation. In Ezekiel 22:30, God searched for a man to pray on behalf of the land and found no one. Isaiah 59:16 says God was appalled there was no one to intervene and again in Isaiah 63:5 it says that God was amazed that there was no one to give support.
We are to pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we are to pray continually; without ceasing. We are to stand in the gap before God on behalf of the land and on behalf of others.
The Apostle Paul in giving instructions to Timothy on prayer said:
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers,
intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those
who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all
godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants
everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy
2:1-4, HCSB
Notice the “why” of the above—we’re to prayer for
others so that “WE may lead a tranquil and quiet life” and because it pleases
God. Increase the boundary of your prayers to include your nation as a whole
and others individually for this pleases God whose desire it is that ALL be saved. So be faithful in praying for
others as the Holy Spirit directs and then watch expectantly as God answers
those prayers in mercy and in grace.
God Bless!!
