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).
5. Pleading the Blood of Jesus – They understood the covering and delivering power of the blood, often declaring, “The blood of Jesus prevails!”
6. Tarrying Services – Before receiving the Holy Ghost, seekers would gather and “tarry” (wait) in prayer, calling on Jesus until the Spirit fell.
Examples of Their Intercessory Power
• Healing and Deliverance: Many testimonies tell of saints praying until the sick were healed and demonic spirits were cast out.
• Praying Until Something Happened: They wouldn’t stop praying until they felt a shift, whether for a lost loved one, a wayward child, or a revival in the church.
• Praying for Revival: Their prayers often sparked Holy Ghost revivals, where people were saved, healed, and filled with the Spirit.
Legacy of Their Prayer Life
The old saints paved the way for miracles, signs, and wonders through their prayers. They left a legacy of spiritual warfare, perseverance, and holiness. Their prayers still cover generations today, and their example calls believers to return to that same dedicated intercessory prayer life.
Wouldn’t it be powerful if the church today returned to that level of intercession?
Because let me tell you something when it comes to intercession everybody needs somebody to pray for them!
• You didn’t make it here on your own.
• You didn’t survive that storm by yourself.
• You weren’t just “lucky”—somebody was calling your name in prayer!
II. Who Stood in the Gap for You?
Some of us had a praying grandmother who wouldn’t let the devil have us!
I know I got some saints in here who remember waking up to the sound of somebody speaking in tongues early in the morning.
You might have thought it was just noise, but what you didn’t know was that she was covering you!
She was pleading the blood over you while you were out in the streets, acting like you didn’t know God!
Some of us had a praying mother or father, standing in the gap!
• When the enemy had his hands on you, they were on their knees.
• When the world counted you out, they were calling on Jesus to bring you back in.
Some of us had a church mother, a pastor, a friend, or even a stranger who saw us drowning in sin and interceded on our behalf!
III. It’s Your Turn to Stand in the Gap!
But here’s the real question today: Who are YOU standing in the gap for?
• Who are you praying for?
• Who are you covering?
• Who are you interceding for?
Because the same way somebody covered you, it’s time for you to cover somebody else!
The enemy is attacking families, marriages, and young people. God is looking for some gap-standers! Are you willing to step in? Are you willing to cry out for somebody else? Are you willing to fast and pray until a breakthrough comes?
Conclusion:
Church, let’s make it plain. Jesus is the ultimate gap-stander. He stood in the gap for us on Calvary’s cross! When sin had a grip on us, He said, “I’ll stand in the gap. I’ll take the punishment. I’ll bear the burden.”
But now, He’s calling us to do the same for others.
So I ask you one more time: Who is standing in the gap for you? And who are you standing in the gap for?
If you know somebody needs a breakthrough, stand on your feet right now and begin to call their name before the Lord! Because when the saints start standing in the gap, chains break, healing happens, and revival comes!
Somebody shout, “I’ll stand in the gap!”
Somebody give God a praise!
