TRANSGRESSORS AND INTERCESSORS
“30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God." Ezekiel 22:30-31.
Ezekiel wrote those words during a time when the children of Israel had wandered far from God. He had chosen them to be a light to the nations, but they themselves had turned to darkness. The people were transgressors. They knew the will of God but didn’t do it. He's searching for someone who would stand in the gap for them. Sadly, He found no one! Jerusalem is on the verge of destruction. But no one would stand in the gap, so the city would experience the wrath and fury of God. One man or woman, willing to stand in the gap, could have saved a whole nation from judgment, but not even one was found! Isaiah 59:16. In every situation where judgment is expected, God looks for an intercessor who can hold back His judgment. Yet every segment of Jerusalem had been defiled: princes, prophets, priests, and the people. But even so the situation was not completely hopeless. God declared that judgment might yet be avoided if He could find one person to stand in the gap. When King David had sinned, God found Nathan to stand in the gap. When idolatry filled the land in the days of Elijah, God found Elijah to bridged the gap. Samuel stood in the gap for the nation of Israel. Daniel stood in the gap for the deliverance of God's children from Babylonians captivity. When you stand in the gap, you pray for God’s help, mercy, forgiveness, and intervention on behalf of individuals, groups of people or nations. So will you answer His call? Are you willing to stand in the gap? Revival always begin a man or woman of faith! Intercessions provokes genuine revival. "Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me," Romans 15:30. So, are you willing to stand in the gap?
"30 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” Exodus 32:30–32.
The redeemed children of Israel had sinned, while Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments. Exodus 32:7–14. God told Moses that the Israelites had turned aside quickly out of the way which He commanded them and He was going to destroy them and start a new nation from Moses. But Moses interceded on their behalf. Psalm 106:23. He presented several reasons why God should not destroy the people. Numbers 14:13-16. He pleaded for mercy, and God answered his prayer. The people are worthy of condemnation. But God showed them mercy. So are you willing to intercede on behalf of family, friends, cities, or government? Will you stand in the gap for those who need God's mercy?
"Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." Acts 12:5.
A persecution had broken out against the early church in Jerusalem. Herod had already put James, the brother of John, to death. Peter was next. He was held in a maximum security prison. But the church interceded for him. They prayed fervently and "without ceasing" that God would spare Peter's life. The Lord answered their prayer and sent an angel, to release Peter from his cell. God can still deliver the captives today, if the body of Christ will only pray and seek God. "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.
THE TRANSGRESSORS:
"I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah" Psalm 32:5.
In the beginning, there was no separation between God and humanity; however, after Adam and Eve disobeyed, sin created a gap between God and man. Sin separated us from our Creator. Isaiah 59:1-3. According to Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary sin is an offense. It is any thought, word, or action that is in disobedience to the will of God. Sin is to “falls short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. It is the transgression of the laws, commands, and statues of God. 1 John 3:4; Romans 4:15. So a transgressor is an offender, a violator, or breaker of God's laws. A transgressor is a sinner. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” Romans 6:23. And the Bible also declares “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. There can be no meaningful relationship with God until the barrier of sin is removed. Jesus willingly offered His life as the Only acceptable payment for our sins. By His Blood, shed on the Cross at Calvary, He bridged the gap caused by sin. Romans 4:25. He wasn’t a transgressor, yet He stood in the gap for us. Jesus lived a sinless life, yet died on the Cross for our sin! When we confess our sin, He forgives our transgression. So why not come to Jesus today? Admit that you are a sinner. Be willing to repent. Confess and accept God's forgiveness. Believe that Jesus died for you. Invite Him into your life. Once you are saved, however, you need to be placed into a local church where you can be active in the work of God. Read the Word of God daily. Develop your faith. Start each day with prayer. Keep God first place in your life. Stay active in the work of God.
INTERCESSORS:
"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.
To “intercede” means to come in between. It is pleading for another person. Intercession is approaching God and asking Him to intervene in the life of another person. It is pleading with God for the needs of others. Intercession is taking hold of God's will and refusing to let go until it comes to pass. Daniel 10:12-14. Intercession is spiritual warfare. It is intense prayer for another. It is prayer that presses on until we come into God's will. Intercession is standing in the gap. It is a request to the Lord on behalf of a person or persons. Intercession is talking to God about transgressors and praying that He'll save them from their sins. It is plowing the grounds of the hearts of sinners so that when the Gospel is preached the seed of the Word is planted in their hearts. Truly, evangelism can not be successful without an effective intercession. There's an urgent need for men and women who will go before God and reach out for His mercy for the sinner, the wounded and a broken world. Intercessors are gatekeepers. They are human chain between God and sinners. Intercessors are peacemaker. They stands between God and those who justly deserve His judgment. Intercessors are bridges. They stand in the middle between God and the person(s) they are praying for. Intercessors are men and women of discernment. They discern the need of others and turn it into prayer. Intercessors are burden bearers. They bear others burden. Intercessors are builders. Intercession pleads for mercy, not justice. They pleads for mercy to prevail over justice on behalf of another. Intercessors are peace makers. Often it is the difference between life and death, war and peace. Intercessors are laborers. They labor daily for the release of God’s power to win lost souls, revive the Church and impact societies.
The greatest example of intercession is found in the work of our Lord Jesus. He is the perfect representation of the one who was willing to stand in the gap for transgressors. He's our Advocate with the Father. Jesus is our Comforter and Intercessor. He identified with our need, went to God on our behalf and carried the burden of our sins so that we might be free and blessed. The Bible tells us that He always lives to intercede for us. Even today, He is at the right hand of God pleading our case. Jesus is interceding on our behalf, so that we might be reconcile to God. Romans 8:34. The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us: "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26–27. He brings our prayers to God. The Holy Spirit expresses to the Father our feelings much better than we could. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, all believers are now called into the ministry of intercession. It is commanded in the Scripture. Ephesians 6:18. God knows the deep longings and needs in our hearts, and He desires to abundantly bless us, but we must partake in this important ministry. He's looking for those who will have burden for sinners. He is searching for those who will selflessly intercede on behalf of others. Just like Daniel, the enemy will do everything he can to stop and hinder you in prayer. But if we are faithful, God answers our prayer and makes a path for us right through the difficulties. Your prayers have no limitation. You can impact the destiny of many and entire nations. You can help save many lives.
So, what are the main qualities of an effective intercessor?
1. An intercessor must be born again. John 1:12. The place where intercession must start is with you.
2. He or she must be a good student of the Bible. 2 Timothy 2:15.
3. Establish an intimate, close, personal relationship with God. You must have an unbroken relationship with Him.
4. You must love God and His people.
5. Be vigilant and persistent. Isaiah 62:6-7.
6. Give thanks to God for His mercy and compassion. Begin with a time of praise, worship and thanksgiving.
7. Maintain an attitude of prayer. Pray for hearts to change. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you pray.
8. Remove selfish desires. They pray for others out of love. Intercessors focuses on Christ.
9. See others as Christ sees them. Compassionate.
10. Be disciplined. Mark 14:33-35; Lamentations 3:48-50. 1 Corinthians 9:27.
11. Be patient. Learn to wait in His presence.
12. Be persistent and determined. Isaiah 62:6-7; Lamentations 2:18-19.
13. Have faith. Isaiah 64:7.
14. Be available for God's use.
15. Be faithful, even in small assignments.
16. Be teachable. John14:23. You are eager to learn and grow.
17. Be obedient. Intercessors obey God.
18. Humility.
19. Learn to be still and listen. Spend a few minutes in silence, to quiet your mind and come into God's presence.
20. Able to maintain confidentiality about certain prayer needs.
21. You must give all the glory to God.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,” 1 Timothy 2:1.
Is God asking you to intercede for a person, a family, a church, a city, or a nation? You are His instrument to work out His divine plan in the lives of others. Is He asking you to be the one to stand in the gap for backsliders? Then, what are you waiting for? Get to it! Pray that sinners may know Christ and the power of His resurrection. Pray that intercessors and evangelists all around the world might respond quickly to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the field. Matthew 9:38. God promises reward to those who will intercede.
If you want to begin a deeper relationship with God or resume a broken relationship, say this: O God, I come to You today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me and He resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to Him today. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your intercession for me.
2. Holy Spirit, help me to recognize and respond to the burden to pray for others, in Jesus name.
3. Father, help me to be faithful in standing in the gap for others, in Jesus name.
4. O Lord, I ask that you cleanse me from all unrighteousness, in Jesus name.
5. Father, turn everyone on the harvest field into sharp threshing instrument, in Jesus name.
6. Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayer.
