Standing in the Gap - Praying for One Another

James 5:16-17

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

The concept of standing in the gap is throughout the Scripture. As I wrote a few weeks ago, we first find the concept in the Old Testament when someone is standing in the gap between another person or group of people and God to plead with Him to withhold punishment and judgment. Remember that according to Exodus 32, Moses stood in the gap between God and His people who were bringing idolatry into the camp. In the New Testament, we also find Stephen standing in the gap between God and his persecutors. And of course, there is Jesus Himself in Luke 23:34, hanging on a cross, praying “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

But standing in the gap also involves praying for others unrelated to God’s punishment. Simply put, we have the opportunity to stand in the gap between God and those around us who have needs. In James 5:16, we are told to “pray for one another.” James is talking about a fellow believer who is sick and in need of healing. But that doesn’t mean our prayers for one another are limited to just those who are sick. We are called to pray for the various needs of others, especially of those we are closest to relationally.

Would you consider doing a quick little exercise? Would you take a pen and paper and spend the next five minutes writing down the names of those in your circle of relationships along with a special need of each one? For example, Gina and I have close friends we knew from high school and college that are dealing with a possible job relocation. In addition, they are dealing with aging parents who live a good distance away from them. They are burdened and this is clearly an opportunity for me to stand in the gap before God on their behalf.

We have another friend who is grieved over a wayward family member. This is an opportunity for us to pray. We have some older friends that are dealing with health challenges. We are praying for several who have recently lost a spouse to death and are learning to navigate a new way of life.

We are given a unique blessing and opportunity to stand in the gap for others. Scripture calls on us to “pray for one another” (James 5:16). Now let’s go back to our friendly little exercise I referred to earlier. Take a few minutes and write down the person’s name, the nature of their need, and today’s date. So as not to overwhelm you, just start with three names. Write down their need. Stop right now and pray for them. Pray they have wisdom, peace, clarity, discernment, comfort, and encouragement.

In addition, pray for that specific need. That need is likely the very thing that brought them to your mind in the first place. Some of our closest friends are considering a move to another state. So Gina and I are praying for them about that very thing. Be specific in what and how you pray for those on your list. Then, every few days go back and review that list. And update your prayer for that person. Stand in the gap by praying for them.

And one final thing for today, when someone you encounter in your daily life expresses a need, a burden, or a passion, I would encourage you to stop that very moment and pray for them. Don’t let the moment pass, especially when the moment of need is the greatest.

Scripture calls us “stewards” and most often we think of stewardship as it relates to money or other types of material resources. But the word “steward” has a broader meaning. And I am convinced we are stewards of our relationships with others around us. So today, stop and pray for one another!

As I end today, I would count it a privilege to pray for you. If you have a unique need or burden, would you send me an email to david@davidsmithministry.com and allow me the blessing of standing in the gap for you about that specific burden? I hope you will consider this.