Standing in the gap through prayer and petition
STANDING IN THE GAP THROUGH PRAYER & PETITION
When Moses led the children of Israel out of bondage, they began a journey into the wilderness. The people constantly grumbled and complained. At one place: “Moses named the place ‘Massah’ (which means ‘test’) and ‘Meribah’ (which means ‘arguing’) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the Lord by saying “Is the Lord here with us or not?” Exodus 17 v 7
Yes, He was with them. God fed them and gave them water to nourish and revive them, to preserve them and to strengthen them on their journey. God said of Himself “I am the Lord and I change not…” Malachi 3 v 6. Today, this should give us confidence when we go through our wilderness experiences that He is with us. He constantly feeds us with His every word, written in the Bible, and waters our souls with the comfort and empowerment of His Holy Spirit.
In the wilderness of life challenges, we can either grumble and complain, and become exasperated trying to work things out for ourselves, or we allow it to become a training ground where we learn to increasingly depend on God for our deliverance and survival. It is also the place where we learn to fight our battles through prayer and petitioning for others, before our Father God.
On their journey through the harsh climate of the wilderness, opposition presented itself in the form of an attacking army. Moses dispatched Joshua and the men he chose to fight with him.
“So, Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the Amalekites. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long, as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So, Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses holding up his hands. So, his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.” Exodus 17 v 10 – 13
It was only by creating a position of physical rest and relief and standing together to support Moses that he was able to keep his hands raised in recognition of needing the power of God to intervene on behalf of the nation that victory could be won. They achieved more working together than one could achieve with a moderate level of success working alone. We are not called to be casual observers in the wilderness experiences and hardships of other people’s lives. We are called to come alongside them and stand in the gap with them.
“Two are better than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better, for a three stranded cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4 v 9 – 12
Even if you find yourself in a situation where you cannot call on someone to physically help you, remember our God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is with you and protects you.
Being a part of a three stranded cord is a spiritual lifeline to me because it is a partnership of corporate prayer for ‘God’s will to be done on as earth it is in heaven’ (Matthew 5 v 10) (Luke 11 v 2) and where we petition for others and ourselves, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that welcomes the presence of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said:
“For where two or three have gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst.” Matthew 18 v 20
The Apostle Paul said to the Ephesian church Christians:
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Ephesians 6 v 18
People feel encouraged when they know you are praying for them. They grow in confidence and they grow in faith as they wait expectantly for an answer from God. The apostle Paul said:
“Brethren, pray for us.” 1 Thessalonians 5 v 25
Why would a great man of faith ask others to remember to pray for him and his co-workers. He explained:
“And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.”
2 Corinthians 1 v 11
Supporting others through prayer provides opportunities for our Father God’s Name to be glorified. So, let us not be slow to act!
“Now I urge your, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayer to God for me.”
Romans 15 v 30
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the Word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned.” Colossians 4 v 2 – 3
We pray with a thankful heart because it is a privilege to pray for others. But prayer is not driven by emotion but by obedience to God through the Holy Spirit, otherwise how would we pray for our enemies? Both the apostles Matthew and Mark stressed the need to pray when persecuted:
“You have heard that it was said “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5 v 43 – 44
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6 v 27 – 28
When wrote to Christian friend Timothy towards the end of his life, the Apostle Paul expounded on what he had previously said:
“First of all, then I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2 v 1 – 2
Beyond praying for those we know we are called to pray for those we do not, especially those in position of public leadership and authority. Our prayers and petitions are supposed to influence the atmosphere and environment where we live. Jeremiah wrote a letter to those exiled in Babylon, part of which said:
“Seek the welfare of the city and where I have sent you into exile and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” Jeremiah 29 v 7
When we see and hear about conduct that are not right, we should stand in the gap and impact through pray for there to be honesty, transparency, integrity, shared good practice and accountability within the Government, judicial system, social services, health and medical services, law and enforcement, within the education system and wider Church communities. Better to pray than be anxious. The apostle Paul said:
The apostle Paul said:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4 v 6 – 7
Prayer and petition are guaranteed to bring us God’s inner peace. We do not need to be anxious because we know that our Father God hears, sees, and answers prayers.
“Again, I say to you, that if two or three of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18 v 19 – 20
Amen xxx