Standing in the_____Gap

I remember the first time I read and truly took to heart the verse from Isaiah 59:16 (paraphrased) “The Lord saw all the evil and was astonished there was no one to intercede. Therefore He Himself stepped in to save you through His might and power and justice.”

Isaiah, the prophet from Judah, had a 58-year ministry in the 8th century BC at the time when the Assyrians were expanding their empire. Isaiah encouraged the King to trust in God and not make alliances with the other pagan nations. The verse above is stating that the Lord was displeased at the evil and wickedness of His own people by the way they tried to become acceptable with only outward appearances and not by truly repenting in their hearts. No one was crying out to Him against the evil, they were just allowing things to remain the same. What was needed was true repentance and revival so that God could pardon and deliver them.

Similar with much scripture, God speaks of a time that was happening right then as well as a time in the future. The Old Testament is a foreshadowing of a time when Christ will come and deliver us. We too need to repent turn from any ways that are against God’s heart for us. The word astonished in Greek also means appalled. God was appalled that there was no one to stand in the gap and to intercede with prayers. God is looking for “gapfillers”. He is looking for those who inwardly repented of their own daily sins in order to be heard by Him.

We can be that person who stands “in the gap” for others. There are millions of ways we can be in prayer. Of course, there is prayer for our country and church leaders (and their families). Our country also needs prayer to repent for the way we have eliminated God from our society. We must pray for the lost and for the safety of our missionaries who serve in hostile countries, our military serving far away and of course our own family’s personal needs. All of these prayers are grand and important, but I wonder if we could do more?

A few years ago I asked the Lord to open the eyes of my heart to see around me and to teach me to stand “in the gap” for those I didn’t know. I started to pray for those other families who where at the hospital undergoing cancer treatments like we were. Oh and how the Lord opens our eyes to a hurting world around us. He teaches us to live with intent in the way we can pray.

Here are just a few possible scenarios:

1) A white cross stands by the side of the road where a person was killed by a car… we can pray for the excruciating hurt from that loss and for the comfort the family needs as they turn to God for His comfort.
2) A little old man who leaves a store for the parking lot and can barely make it to his car… we can pray not only that he makes it, but that God will ease the pain of his bones for his drive home.
3) Another neighborhood store goes under…we can pray for extra wisdom and that these owners will find their hope in Christ and one day will possibly rise up in another business again.
4) We see a couple with their handicapped child… we must pray for added endurance and grace-filled patience for their daily needs.
5) The grandma at the park who has custody of her grandchildren… we can pray for her strength to train up children again and for the much needed finances to do so.
6) Children at the morning school bus stop…we can pray for their protection and for kindness they might show one another.
7) The person at work who is crying and talking softly into the phone…. We can pray for their heartache and that they might find God in whatever their dilemma is.
8) The visibly angry driver that just passed us in the car… we can pray they find the peace of Christ.
9) The sweet little 70 year old couple sitting together at the breast cancer center… we can praise God that they still have each other to hold on to.
10) The widower who battles against the onset of loneliness…we can pray that he invites the Lord into those hidden areas of ache and that God Himself will fill him.

These, of course, are only drops in the bucket of ways to pray for others as we begin to see around our world with a heart like God’s. Each of us can make a difference in someone’s life with just a heartfelt prayer. I know I need to stop brooding over my own stuff and instead have greater concern for others. I want eyes that will see the pain and need in others. I want a heart that cries out to the Lord for His help in their lives. I am asking God to help me put other’s needs above my own. I want to be a “gapfiller” and to intercede for others whether they know it or not, whether they know the Lord yet or not. God is looking for us to be the “stand in” for others. Will you stand with me and be that person?

May it be our desire that we be women who live in the present and are aware of the world around us. May we take notice of the blessings God gifts to each of us, and always long to hear His whispers. Shall we also pray with a more purposeful focus on God’s will? And as we stay connected in our relationship with Christ, we will become more thankful followers. Let us commit to doing this together! Close your eyes…Open your heart, let God’s Spirit empower you today.