Stand in the Gap~

Yesterday we were left wondering about what we are to do if someone we love is not plugging into God. If our coming close to God is a pre-requisite for His coming close to us, and if someone we love is not making that effort, what hope do we have?


Of course we want those we love to have God's peace, joy, protection, and guidance in their lives. But if they aren't seeking it, is it a lost cause?

NOPE, NO WAY, NEVER, UH-UH!

God expects us to stand in the gap. I love that expression, "Stand in the Gap."

All of you know that I raised my children to love the Lord, and they willingly accepted Christ as their Savior at a young age. But there have been periods in their lives when prayer and going to church was not a priority. They weren't really plugging in as often as they should. There was a disconnect between them and God. So I filled that gap with my prayers.

I got right in the middle of the divide and poured my heart out to God to keep them safe anyway. To guide them anyway. To pour His spirit out on them anyway. To fill them with joy anyway. To let their dreams come true anyway. To bless them with the right relationships anyway. And guess what? He has and He did and He will continue to do that.

1 Timothy 2:1
"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them."

What a tremendous relief to know that when we pray for others, God helps them. When we say, "Thy kingdom come..."It does, and it invades the lives of those we love.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, Thank You that You come near to us when we pray and near to those whom we are praying for. This is such a lovely truth. It will carry us happily along for the rest of the day. Remind us of this when things get crazy--that prayer changes things. Come near to ________ today. They really need You. In Jesus' name, AMEN~