Stand in the Gap

Outward changes what I carry.

The Question

Who am I standing in the gap for now?

Message Outline

Jesus Taught Us to Pray in the Plural

Prayer begins with God and it changes me, but Jesus never meant it to stop with me. Every line He gave us is “us,” not “me.”

Matthew 6:9–13

The Lord’s Prayer: our Father, give us, forgive us, lead us, deliver us.

Remember

Prayer moves upward to God, inward to change me, then outward to carry others.

Before the Broken Wall, a Broken World

God did not call Ezekiel in the comfort of the temple. He met an exiled priest in Babylon and made him a watchman, sent to sound the alarm whether or not people listen.

Ezekiel 1:1–3

In exile by the Chebar canal the heavens open, and God’s word comes to Ezekiel the priest.

2 Kings 24:10–16

Babylon captures Jerusalem and carries the king and thousands away into exile.

Ezekiel 3:16–21

God makes Ezekiel a watchman, sent to warn the people even when they refuse to hear.

Remember

God still speaks and still calls, even after your world has fallen apart.

God Searched for Someone to Stand

In Ezekiel 22 God brings Jerusalem into court. Prophets, priests, leaders, and people all failed, because first “me you have forgotten.” Then He looks for one person to stand in the breach.

Ezekiel 22:23–29

Prophets, priests, princes, and people alike have corrupted the whole land.

Ezekiel 22:12

“…but me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD.” The root beneath every other sin.

Ezekiel 22:30

“I sought for a man… to stand in the breach before me… but I found none.”

Remember

Don’t only describe the gap. Have I prayed about what I keep complaining about?

Abraham, Care Enough to Ask

Outward prayer begins when someone else’s condition matters enough to bring it before God. Abraham could not fix Sodom, but he could stand and ask for mercy.

Genesis 18:16–33

Abraham stands before God and pleads: will You spare the city for the righteous within it?

Remember

The better I know God, the better I can pray for people.

Moses, Stand in the Breach

Sometimes the people you carry do not even know you are praying. Moses stood between a rebelling nation and the judgment they deserved.

Exodus 32:7–14

As Israel worships the golden calf, Moses intercedes and God relents from disaster.

Psalm 106:19–23

Moses “stood in the breach” to turn away God’s wrath, the very picture Ezekiel sought.

Numbers 14:11–20

Israel rebels again; Moses appeals to God’s steadfast love, and God pardons.

Remember

Intercession sometimes means carrying people who are hard to carry.

Samuel, Do Not Stop Praying

Samuel warned Israel, they ignored him, and still he would not quit. Intercession is not reserved for people who listened to us or treated us well.

1 Samuel 12:12–25

“Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you.”

Remember

If they deserved everything they asked for, they would not need mercy, and neither would we.

Jesus: He Doesn’t Just Pray About the Gap, He Closes It

Abraham, Moses, and Samuel could only point forward. Jesus did not merely pray about the breach. He gave Himself to close it, and He is interceding for us still.

1 Timothy 2:5–6

One mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

Hebrews 7:23–25

Jesus always lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God through Him.

Romans 8:31–34

Christ died, was raised, and is at God’s right hand interceding for us.

Luke 22:31–32

“I have prayed for you.” Jesus prays for Peter before Peter ever falls.

Luke 23:33–34

From the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Hebrews 4:14–16

Because our great High Priest intercedes, we come boldly to the throne of grace.