Standing in the Gap

"I searched for a man among them who would . . . stand in the gap . .
. but I found no one." - Ezekiel 22:30 (NASB)

When Chris Milbrath went to work with Co-Mission in the Ukraine, the
last thing he envisioned was being hospitalized. He experienced a
persistent stomach ache and his doctor diagnosed a ruptured appendix
and told him that without surgery he'd die. Things didn't go well and
infection set in. Halfway across the world a lady who was one of
Chris's supporters woke suddenly during the night. She didn't know
why, but she knew she had to pray for him. Later, comparing notes and
making adjustments for the different time zones, they discovered that
her prayer-burden "just happened to coincide" with the time he was
clinging to life. Within 24 hours, a missions group in Moscow heard
about the situation. A small jet "just happened to be available" to
airlift Chris to Geneva where one of Switzerland's best surgeons "just
happened to be available" to perform additional surgery that saved his
life. Chris later said, "I can't help wondering what would've
happened to me if that woman had just rolled over and said, 'I'll pray
for Chris tomorrow.'"

God says, "I sought for a man among them who would . . . stand in the
gap . . . but I found no one." Interceding is a lonely business. You
don't volunteer - God calls you. True intercessors realize what's at
stake and stay on their knees until they sense they've broken through
and God's heard them. James writes, "The effective prayer of a
righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16). So when God prompts
you to pray for somebody, don't wait - do it! Your prayers may be the
only thing standing between that person and catastrophe.

Edifying, Encouraging & Enlightening, AGospelPreacha