Standing In The Gap

Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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Ezekiel 22:30 – I looked for a man 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 none. (NIV)

Recently, my wife went into hospital to have an operation under a general anaesthetic. After the operation, I was allowed to sit with her in a tiny cubicle. There she lay, semi-conscious, aware of my presence, but unable to speak.

Previously, when she had been in for surgery, there were unexpected complications that meant she had to stay overnight. So I was not in a peaceful state of mind to trust her into the hands of others who, apart from the surgeon, were unknown to me.

Given that I do not like hospitals at the best of times, because I know that bad things can happen, I was focused on watching over her. Many years before, I had been called to pray over my younger daughter, Sarah. She was healed whilst other babies died, but that is another story.

For now, my concern was to get my wife conscious and home as soon as possible. As she rested, I stood over her and prayed for her healing and protection as I had done for Sarah. Quietly, I asked God to provide an angel to stand guard over her. As I stood there asking, my eyes were opened to the truth that I was, to my surprise, God's answer to my own prayer! I was God's messenger (Greek "angelos"), charged to stand guard and pray for her healing until she was fully conscious, able to get up and to be wheeled out to the car. All had gone well, and she had none of the previous complications.

God showed me in that cubicle that He has called Christians to stand in the gap — to intercede for those for whom He has given us the specific authority and power to pray — if only we perceive it!

Prayer: Open our eyes, Lord, for we want to see Jesus — even if it is a scary thought — to be face-to-face with our Saviour. Lord, open our eyes to see the possibilities. You have first given all for us, so now, as Your chosen loved ones, may we be Your will on earth today. We ask to be messengers of hope, overcomers, prevailers, encouragers, soldiers, and lovers — intercessors — in heavenly places here on earth. Through the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England

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