StudyNote – Understanding How to Stand in the Gap (2) Every born again Christian is expected to pray for other people when it is necessary. Situations and circumstances of life push us to run to the throne of grace for help. Sometimes, a true Christian runs to the throne not because he is in dire need of help but because someone he loves so much is in trouble. Whenever you find someone who is going through a situation that is beyond human control ensure that you spend some time in prayer. Pray until something happens, pray until the situation changes in his or her favour. I prophesy that someone is breaking forth by the reason of your prayers this year in the name of Jesus. God’s Word says: “I looked for a man among them who would build a wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30). God is looking for you! He wants you to volunteer to intercede for those who are in need. It’s so unfortunate that some of them don’t have what it takes to get across to God, but you can do so on their behalf. It’s on record that Peter stood in the gap for a lame man at the Beautiful gate which led to the Jewish temple (Acts 3:1-8). As it were, Peter gave him a ‘valuable intangible gift’ that day. In the sixth verse of Acts chapter 3, Peter said “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (NKJV). If you read verse 7 and 8 you’ll find out that the lame man was healed instantly. That healing was priceless! The story is told about Stanley Black’s father, a dairy farmer, who invited his veterinarian to his birthday party. After the party, the doctor said, “I’d like to reciprocate your kindness. Please visit our church. In honor of your birthday, we want to pray for you.” Prayer is such a pleasant birthday gift. The doctor just wanted to give something back in return. You need to pray to God to shed His love abroad in your heart so that you can pray for people like never before. God’s love will prompt you to pray for your loved ones more often. Job was prompted to intercede for his friends, and he did it to prove that he really loved them. By the time Job was done God changed his situation. Suddenly, Job’s calamities ended because he prayed for his friends (see Job 42:10). Sometimes, you find yourself in a situation where you want to pray for someone and you just don’t know what to pray about. At that point in time you can pray in the Spirit. It is written: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26, 27 KJV). The Holy Spirit can help you get the message across to God the Father. On many occasions I find myself praying in the Spirit on behalf of my loved ones. It’s a pleasure praying for those I really care about. I may not know what they really need but I could ask the all-knowing God to meet them at the point of their needs by speaking in tongues. I tell you it works! As you intercede for those you love, if you decide to speak in tongues, God’s promise in Isaiah 65 verse 24 will be fulfilled – while you are yet speaking God will respond. Do you know that speaking in tongues gives us direct access to the throne of grace? The Bible tells us that “Anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:2). Speaking in tongues will give you unrestrained access to the Father, and what you’re asking Him to do on other people’s behalf will be done. You can stand in the gap for someone who means so much to you. You’ll definitely find yourself in situations where you need to intercede for that special person. This is because there are problems that human efforts cannot solve. When you intercede praying to God with faith in your heart, and praying to God with all your heart will bring the much needed results.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 09:22:45 +0000
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