Who’s Standing In The Gap For You? Besides Jesus? Series

Who’s Standing in the Gap for You? Besides Jesus?

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:30 (KJV)

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.”

Introduction:

Church, I came to ask you today: Who is standing in the gap for you?

Besides Jesus, who is lifting you up in prayer?

Who is interceding for you when you can’t pray for yourself?

Who is calling your name in prayer before the throne of God?

We love to sing, “Jesus is on the mainline, tell Him what you want,” and that’s true!

But let me tell you something—Jesus also calls on people to stand in the gap for one another.

That’s why some of us are still here today—because somebody, somewhere, was praying for us!

I. The Power of the Gap

Our text says that God was searching for someone to stand in the gap, to intercede, to hold back judgment, to cover the people in prayer. But He found none!

Corruption among the leaders (vv. 25-28) and the people (v. 29) was so widespread in Judah that God could not find even one person (outside of his prophet, Jeremiah, who had desperately tried to warn the people) who was willing to stand against evil and attempt to lead the people back to God.

It is a tragedy when God’s people are so caught up in worldliness and spiritual compromise that he can find no one among them to intercede (i.e., to plead a case for others, to pray for their situations and needs) for those who are spiritually lost and rebellious towards God.

Such compassion and selflessness might have built a wall of mercy and protection around the people, shielding them from sure destruction.

But no one would “stand in the gap” between God and the people, crying out against sin and leading the way in prayer, real repentance and a desperate plea for spiritual revival (2Ch 7:14).

Not one person could be found to stand in the gap on God’s behalf and stop his hand of judgment from falling on everyone (22:30).

This is the principle of representation that allows God to hold back his judgment if he has sufficient intermediaries whose righteousness can be credited to the benefit of the unrighteous.

When such representatives are absent and the people do not repent, then judgment falls.

In Genesis 18:16-21, God decided to share with Abraham His plans to judge Sodom and Gomorrah because of their grievous sins.

 In Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham remained before the Lord and began a bold yet humble negotiation, pleading for mercy on behalf of the city.

Abraham’s Intercession

1. Starting with Fifty – Abraham asks if God will spare the city if fifty righteous people are found there. God agrees.

2. Lowering the Number – Abraham, in a series of progressively lower requests (45, 40, 30, 20, 10), continues to plead for the city.

3. God’s Mercy – Each time, God agrees, showing His willingness to spare Sodom if even ten righteous people are found.

4. The Conversation Ends – When Abraham reaches ten, he stops, and God departs.

Despite Abraham’s plea, Sodom does not have even ten righteous people. In Genesis 19, God’s judgment falls upon the city, but Lot and his family are rescued by the angels before its destruction.

Because good people often remain silent because of fear or compromise, they often miss the opportunity to stand in the gap and revive and help people escape God’s judgment.

I wonder today, if there are there still some gap-standers in the house?

Are there still some people willing to pray, to fast, to lift others up, to cry out on behalf of the broken?

The old saints were known for their deep, fervent, and effectual prayers of intercession.

They understood that prayer was not just a ritual but a powerful connection with God—one that could change lives, heal the sick, deliver the oppressed, and bring revival.

The saints of old labored in prayer, often gathering for all-night prayer shut ins, tarrying services, and periods of consecration.

They knew how to “pray through” until they felt a breakthrough in the Spirit. Their prayers were often marked by:

1. Holy Ghost Power – They sought the baptism of the Holy Spirit and prayed in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance (Acts 2:4).

2. Travailing in the Spirit – They groaned and wept before God, standing in the gap for lost souls, their families, and the church.

3. Calling on the Name of Jesus – They believed in the power of Jesus’ name to cast out demons, heal bodies, and shift atmospheres.

4. Fasting & Prayer – Many would fast for days, believing that some breakthroughs only come by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29).