TOM 1002
Standing In The Gap With Prayer -- October 13, 2002
©2002 / Faithful Word Ministries
74:02 minutes
         

"Standing In The Gap With Prayer" - Rev. Steven A. Michels

I Timothy 2:1,2; Ephesians 2:18-21; II Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 107:1-31; 136:1-26; 80:1-19; Ezekiel 22:30; [James 5:16]; Ezekiel 13:19; 22:17-31; Nehemiah 1:1-9; 2:1-5; II Chronicles 6:16-7:15

Today there is an urgency for Christians to believe what God has called and made them to be through Christ Jesus, giving them access to His heart by way of holy spirit, so they can make intercession. We can be standing in the gap with prayer. God is a God of grace and mercy. He is a God of answered prayer and deliverance. The scriptures give testimony that God is not as much interested in perfection as He is in pureness of heart. A wise man once said, "Where ability fails, heart sustains."

Prayer is more than an aspect of Christian living. It is a necessity. I Timothy speaks of supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks being first in our priorities. Supplications are prayer requests on a personal level. Prayers are prayers of devotion to God, such as praise. Intercessions are prayers on behalf of others. Giving of thanks is self-explanatory. We are to pray for all those in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.

Prayer is for everyone in the church. II Chronicles 7:14 is a verse that is familiar to most Christians. There are four things listed for believers to do:

  1. "Humble themselves" - humility is a state of emptying one's self, admitting an inability to do something.
  2. "Pray" - which directs the heart and attention to God.
  3. "Seek God's face" - drawing us closer to Him in prayer and meditation on His Word.
  4. "Turn from their wicked ways" - We repent by acknowledging our sins and we must stop doing what is wrong. If we do the other things, this should be an automatic response.

God's part is stated also:

  1. He will hear and provide guidance and help.
  2. He will forgive.
  3. He will heal the land.

We need to hear from God, Who can tell us what to do. There is no question when God's people walk away from Him and allow idolatrous practices in their lives, there are evil consequences. Yet the mercy of our God endures forever. The scriptures record time after time when God spared His people from evil consequences if just ONE person stood in the gap for the people. In our day and time, God is seeking for people to stand in the gaps in the hedges of unbelief. He needs people who will pray and make intercession for their cities, towns and country. It is quite a task, but with humility and meekness, we acknowledge that it is God Who is the deliverer, not us. God respects the prayer of believing men and women.

God does not dwell in temples made of hands, but in the hearts and lives of His children. He is as desirous today as He ever was for His people to walk uprightly. When they do, He can bestow His blessings, bare his right arm to fend off all enemies, heal sicknesses and cause the land to bring forth abundantly. If ever there was a time for His people to cry out for mercy, it is today. Let us be those who stand in the gap with prayer that He can help us humble ourselves, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. As He hears, He alone can forgive and heal our land.