I Prayed have prayed
Lord, may our prayers be backed up by righteous deeds and the pursuit of truth.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

“I looked for someone 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 no one. (Ez 22:30)

This popular verse used by many believers as a call to intercession is not simply about the need to pray. As much as prayer is needed, this call to STAND is much more about our acts of righteousness and not just our words of intercession.

Even as we intercede for our communities and for this nation, we must remember that unless our prayers are backed up by our actions and engagement with our culture, our words will mean little. In the fifth chapter of Jeremiah, we find the Lord lamenting over the state of His people. They have forsaken His ways and turned against heaven. He is crying out to His people to repent from their rebellion. He tells the prophet that He will come and intervene IF He finds what He’s looking for:

Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her. (Jer 5:1 ESV)

In order for heaven to respond to the impending destruction of the nation, God wasn’t looking for people who merely prayed. He was looking for just one person to do justice and seek the truth. He was looking for someone to take action in order to establish righteousness in the land. He was looking for someone who was willing to pursue the truth at all costs. The gap in the wall was there because God’s people did not remain faithful to His ways, thus creating an opening for the enemy to come in like a flood. A breach requires someone to take a stand by demonstrating justice and truth.

This call to take a stand also requires that we build up the wall. This isn’t just a wall of prayer. It’s a wall of righteousness. It must be built upon the foundation of God’s Word and fortified by just deeds and righteous laws. The reality is that if the wall is built right, there will be no breach and no need for someone to stand in the gap! Just think what our intercession could accomplish if we weren’t preoccupied with filling in the breaches! This is why it is so important to remember our ultimate goal.

Even as we continue in fervent prayer, we must be sure to build up the wall by calling for just laws, righteous decisions, and God-fearing leaders to fortify heaven’s protection and blessing on our nation. As we pray, we must ask the Lord how to demonstrate the Kingdom through taking action in the public square. We need to prayerfully assist those called to legislate the laws and policies in the land and support those in influential positions, both in our government and in the Church.

Our call to stand in the gap must go beyond crying out to God for help and looking to see how our lives can demonstrate godly rule and authority. As we faithfully steward our call as Kingdom ambassadors in the land, the wall can be established and righteous rule secured and celebrated.

Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you,” declares the Lord. (Jer 15:19-20 ESV)

Comments (6) Print

Comments

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Donna Mast
May 23, 2019

Father, we ask you to infuse us with courage and spiritual quickening that is needed for this hour. The hour is late. You must increase, and we must decrease.

Emma Fontenot
May 23, 2019

Heavenly Father, help each of us to live in Your light. Fill each of us with Your love and care for one another. Heal us in body, soul and Spirit. Give us Your countenance as we proclaim Your truths. Help us to keep You at the forefront of our lives. Put us in places You want us to witness. Let us rely on You for everything. Heal us and our country. Give us discernment to know when YOU speak. Help us become filled more and more with Your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN

Marie
May 22, 2019

Heavenly Father, pour out your Holy Spirit onto the many ministries that are ministering in your Name. Anoint them with power so those who don’t know you will know that this power is not from any man but is from You! Protect those who are serving you in different ways in their lives, and cause your church to be bold in proclaiming the truth of the gospel. There is power in the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Alan K Veasey
May 21, 2019

If we love Him, we will keep His commandments. If we abide in him
(keep his commandments) and speak His words, then we speak truth.
If we abide not (keep our own commandments) and speak of ourselves,
then we speak lies: religious sounding propaganda.

Marilyn
May 21, 2019

O Lord, quicken us to respond to your invitations to serve as agents of righteousness, not only through our prayers, but through our actions as well. Open our eyes to see the opportunities you place before us, and grant us discernment to know the difference between YOUR assignments and those which are not of You. Give us courage to say “yes” to Your callings….strength & courage to carry them out….and victory in your mighty name.

Phyllis Davis
May 21, 2019

I am committed to standing in the gap not only in prayer but with my actions.

Partner with Us

Intercessors for America is the trusted resource for millions of people across the United States committed to praying for our nation. If you have benefited from IFA's resources and community, please consider joining us as a monthly support partner. As a 501(c)3 organization, it's through your support that all this possible.

Dave Kubal
IFA President
Become a Monthly Partner

Share

Click below to share this with others

Log in to Join the Conversation

Log in to your IFA account to start a discussion, comment, pray, and interact with our community.