Standing in the Gap

Sharon JaynesPower of Words, Prayer, Prayer/Spiritual Warfare 212 Comments

Have you ever felt like you weren’t capable of doing what God called you to do? I’m thinking you answered yes. So come listen in on a surprise conversation I had with my Girlfriend in God, Mary.  

I was in the restroom touching up my makeup before teaching a Bible study to a group of women. I was having one of those moments when I looked in the mirror and thoughts began swirling in my head. What am I doing here? What do I possibly have to say to these women that could make any difference in their lives? I am not capable of walking to that podium tonight.

While I was mulling over the lies the devil telling me about not being good enough, my cell phone rang. It was my friend Mary.

“I want you to know, that God interrupted me while I was cooking dinner and told me to pray for you,” Mary said. “Not only that, He told me to call and tell you I was praying for you.”

I was imagining Mary standing in her kitchen with spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove and stopping mid-stir. She probably argued with God and asked Him if it could wait until the sauce was done. But He persisted and she obeyed.

God wanted me to know that I was not going into battle alone. He had prompted Mary to stand in the gap for me—to struggle in prayer for me and strive together with me. In that one moment, Mary and I locked our shield of faith through words and marched into battle together.

The prophet Ezekiel recorded these words from God in Ezekiel 22:30: “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.”

These words were referring to God looking for someone to pray for, or stand in the gap for sinful Jerusalem, but I believe we can apply them to our lives as well. Did you notice that God said, “I looked for someone”? It could be that you are that someone, or I am that someone, who could stand in the gap for another person.

Paul understood the power of standing in the gap. He implored his friends to pray for him: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me” (Romans 15:30). “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Ephesians 6:19-20).

The Greek word Paul uses for struggle in Romans 15:30 is sunagonizomai, which means “to struggle in company of; i.e., to be a partner (assistant), strive together with.”3 The root word means “to endeavor to accomplish something: fight, labor fervently, strive.” For example, to compete for a prize or to contend with an adversary.4

Agreeing to pray for someone is not simply a nice platitude to let someone know we’re thinking about them or a pat on the back to cheer someone on. When we tell someone we’ll pray for them, we are agreeing to put on the armor and head to the front lines of battle on their behalf.

Many ancient shields had brackets attached to the sides. These brackets were a type of latch that soldiers used to lock their shields together during battle. When locked together, the soldiers moved as one, forming a barricade against the enemy. Alone, the shield was a small defense. Hooked together, they were a human wall. Do you see the significance? When we lock arms in prayer with our friends, we are locking our shields together and forming a powerfully strong wall of defense. That’s what Mary did for me that night through the phone call. That’s what we can do for each other.

Stop right now and ask God who He is calling you to pray for today. Then send her a text or give her a call and let her know.

If you have a prayer request, click on the comment button and share. You don’t have to go into great detail. Just a name could be enough. Then pray for the commenter above your own.

Heavenly Father, show me who You want me to stand in the gap for this week. When I tell someone I’m going to pray for him or her, help me to know what to pray and when to pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

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Comments 212

    1. Please pray for healing in my residual limb and the depression that is beginning. (It has been over 4 months already.) Thank you and may God fill you with His grace, mercy and peace.

      1. Michelle
        Please pray for my husband and I for a healthy reconciliation using new communication tools from our marriage retreat. Thank you so very much and blessings to all our sisters in Christ.

    1. Your prayer is the some of the same words I pray often, so I lock arms in prayer with you on today.I will pray for you🙏. Heavenly Father, send down your blessings and allow your will to be done in this precious life, this I ask in Jesus name, Amen. May God continue to bless you in a mighty special way🙏

  1. My 22 year old daughter got a second DUI on February 1st. Her sentencing is July 7. My heart is breaking because I know she is still abusing alcohol and hanging around the wrong friends.

    1. My son will be going to court that day too for assault. I know what you are going through. I’ll be praying for your daughter, too.

    2. I have children your daughter’s age- it is so difficult to get through to them. I know it seems insensitive of me to say this- but I’m speaking from a place of experience- your daughter has to face the consequences if if it means jail time. She will have to see that rock bottom for herself- I will pray for you.

  2. Hello WOG….my name is Letonya Carr and I am needing you all to be in agreement with me for a clean bill of health when I return to the doctor for my breast exam on Tuesday. Thx in advance and God bless you.

  3. Our son Andrew as he starts a new job. Praying he will find peace and purpose in his life and look to God to meet his needs, not substances or unhealthy outlets. That joy would replace the anger in his life.
    Thank you!

    1. Allison I join you in prayer for Andrew. I too have a son Caleb that I share an almost identical prayer. I ask our Father to lay his shield of protection over them both. To deliver them from the anger, harm substances and all toxic relationships. May they find the purpose and passions. In Jesus Name. Amen

    2. Allison
      We thank God that He covers your son, please give him wisdom as he begins this new journey guide him allow him to mirror ur steps Lord anoint him w/ ur direction ur will be done.

    3. Pray that I do not lose the 6 yr custody to the father of my 8yr old son. His father just moved in with his girlfriend and now wants 50/50. It’s a very UnGodly environment. Protect my son Carter.

      1. I’ve been there and therefore can testify that God honors that prayer. He will keep your child away from that ungodly environment.
        Dear God, hear our prayer; keep this child safe from all harm. Give his mommy peace and his father too. Let the best interest of the child prevail, Lord Jesus.

      2. Amanda M. Praying for you sis. My heart knows all too well what you’re going through. I’m in a similar fight for my teenage daughter. Lord I pray that your perfect will be done for Carter and Tianna. Lord intervene and fight on our behalf. We want what’s best for our children. We want them to know you as Lord and Savior. We want them to grow up in godly environments. We ask that righteous prevails. Give us peace that even when they are not with us that we’ll remember you are always with them. Please continue to cover and shield our children Lord. In Jesus Name we pray.

    4. Allison, I am standing in the gap with you and am praying for your son, Andrew. As a mama, myself, of an adult child, I know your heart. My armor is on and I know its maker. He is capable and trustworthy, and will answer our prayers.

  4. Praying for my son, Joshua! He’s struggles with anxieties and it’s crippling him from moving forward with his life. He’s 23. I stand in the gap for him. Please join me to lift him up. Thank you.

    1. Mary, I will include you and your son, when I’m praying for my own Joshua. The pressure that these young adults are put under these days makes it difficult for them and only feeds the anxiety and doubt that can creep in. I pray for our boys that our Lord will wrap them in his arms and bring peace and comfort. I’m standing in the gap with you!

  5. My name is Sharon. I pray for the husband God has for my life. I ask that I have peace as I await Gods timing.

  6. Pray for the healing of Dexter’s in-laws; two were diagnosed with COVID-19 and a third person exhibited symptoms. The same healing for the Holland family.
    Thank you.

  7. Please pray for guidance in choosing the best fitting independent live or assistant living facility. Also please pray for financial support for the new living arrangement. I am excited yet anxious about this matter now that I am a widow and having to make decisions on my own. I am trusting in the Spirit’s guidance.

    1. Dear Heavenly Father,I’m lifting Sharon up to you asking for you to guide her to the correct place and to to funding necessary for it. I ask for your peace to pervade her from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. Once she is comfortably moved in bring her new friends in the process. I’m Jesus Mighty Name, Amen –Also heal her own shattered heart from losing her spouse.

  8. Please pray for our family,one of our 2 year old twin grandchildren Will has covid. His twin sister Isabel my
    Matt son and daughter in law Julie has tested negative at this time. Thank you!

  9. Please pray that I would be more focused while studying Gods word
    My mind gets so distracted and I give up! Thank you

    Kim

    1. May God heal you completely. I was given a 50 persent chance after invasive treatment to survive 5 years.
      This year it will be 20 years ago and I am healthy. God helped me and saved my life. He can do that for you too. Father,I pray for your daughter for complete healing In Jesus’ name. Amen.

  10. Please pray for my brother Godwin. He os really ill and worst of all he is unsaved. I cant even stand the thought of him dying and going to a lost eternity. Please help me pray for him.

  11. Melisa
    My 30 year old niece on ventilator for 2 weeks by tomorrow. Fighting meningitis and flaccid myelitis. Her husband and 2 babies willing her to keep fighting.
    I’m praying specifically that her lungs will heal and she’ll be able to breathe on her own.

  12. Praying with you Allison, that God heals the root causes of Andrew reaching for those vices in order to self-soothe. Will continue to pray.

  13. My unemployment benefits were filed in April, now it is July and still haven’t received my benefits yet. I need that financial breakthrough now. I pray that Allison son recieve all that God has for him, I pray that if her son haven’t recieved Jesus into his life that he will confess with his mouth and believe in his heart and ask Jesus to same it Amen

    1. God bless you Debbie. I also filed in April and have not received any payments yet. I am praying with you for God’s very best blessings in your life. – Paula Craig

  14. Paula – Tomorrow, July 2, is my 50th birthday. I need prayer for myself, for God’s very best in my life. I pray for others and they depend on me.

  15. Fighting a nervous breakdown as my family has attacked me verbally with threats and false accusations, all the while keeping me from my mom who has dementia. I was her caregiver for four years and she misses me.

  16. Please pray that the Lord provides a permanent place for me to live (in His timing of course) but soon Lord please!! I’ve grown anxious with moving from one temporary place to another and I’m getting weary in my trust in Him
    Thank you and God bless

    1. Dear Heavenly Father, i believe you have a special place prepared for Jamie, one that will supply her need and be just the right place for her. Please give her peace, patience and even joy in her heart until that door opens. In Jesus‘ name i ask. Amen.

    2. I talked to the Lord about you, Jamie and shared your anxiousness about a home. Lord, we bless your name because you are holy and worthy of our trust. I prayed that He would fill your head and heart with hope. Hope to know that He is able. Hope to feel His will at work in your life and the hope to know that He will provide. Jeremiah 29 tells us that He is making plans and those plans are for you to prosper! I am praying that He will strengthen you and renew your faith in a way that you can physically feel His presence. I’ve locked in with you this morning, Jamie and I’m thanking God for your life and what He gives us every day. Peace and love to my sister in Christ 🙂

  17. Please pray with me for the following

    1.My husband,Monde
    2.My mother,Funeka
    3.My family’s protection
    4.Our family business
    5.My siblings,Veronica & Nomazwi

    Thank you 🙏

  18. Please pray for my husband, Rick. His position at work was eliminated and he was caught totally by surprise. Thank you and God bless you

  19. God will give us Wisdom and Strength as we have custody of our 10 yr old and 5 yr old Great Grand boys. We also have my 94 yr old Mom living with us. . We are in our 70s Also the boys Mom and Dad.
    Thank you

    1. To all of you please pray the word to your prayer request and stand on the word which is Jesus Christ the truth and He the truth will set you free in His timing . One is no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Also His word came to salvation and heal all who were sick .stand on His word and stand again respect until victory comes in Jesus name.Ask Him He is willing.Amen

  20. For my husband who is torn from our family and is continuing an affair. May God show him the way home and give him the strength to walk away. I ask God to grant me patience, and give me strength & wisdom to bring my husband home.

  21. For Dimity, who lost her husband today, after a four-year fight with leukemia. For her grown children and grandchildren, who share her sadness.

  22. Please pray for my friend Diane who suffers from panic attacks. Also for my decision about returning to work.
    I pray for Jamie that a permanent dwelling will be available. Our trust sometimes wavers but God reminds us through little things and scripture that He doesn’t leave us nor forsakes us. Keep faith and looking to Jesus.

  23. Please pray for our adult daughter Natalie. She has seriously lied to us and stolen a large sum of money from us.

  24. Heavenly Father, I am lifting up each family member to you asking for you to provide for every single need and to heal whatever it is that is needing a healing touch. I am also lifting Sharon Jaynes up to you asking for your divine protection as she continues to teach ladies about God, bless her beyond her wildest dreams and as a spiritual leader help her gird up with the armor of the Lord,and then to boldly march into the sea of brokenness in the world and to prosper in bring many to the saving knowledge of our Precious Saviour. I ask this in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

    I am asking for prayer for myself. I am going blind, deaf, my Lung infection is back and it’s aggravating the emphysema and I am currently recovering from a triple concussion. Thank you in advance. 💞

  25. My son DEONTE who said he actually doesn’t care if he goes to heaven or hell after all these years of being taught of the Lord. He is saved he accepted Jesus as Lord and had list his way.

  26. I have written a book for our Haiti mission. Please help me pray for an artist and a publisher. Thank you.

  27. Please pray for my brother who is struggling financially to look after his family that God will open doors of business opportunities for him.

  28. Please pray for me to now God’s plan for me concerning purpose and marriage .

    Prayer to get a permanent job

  29. Pray that God grants me wisdom and guides me on identifying reliable income sources.

    May God grant Jamie her heart’s desire, establish her and settle her according to His Will. Jamie please keep trusting and have faith. God is not a man that He should lie.

  30. Please pray for my husband and I and our 4 children. We’re making a big decision, moving from the East Coast to the Midwest. Not knowing exactly how our future is hoing to be but trusting the leading and wisdom of the Father.

  31. Please pray for my sister Margaret who is a believer and is working from home. She is absolutely terrified of Covid. She’s not left her house since the beginning of this pandemic. She had breast cancer 15 years ago and believes she is immune compromised from the chemo. I don’t know how to help.

  32. Please pray for myself/my husband & to our family…
    to re-unite & bring love, forgiveness, abundance, peace, joy, laughter, support: (financially, mental, spiritual) & unity to:
    Earl Jr, Prencess, Jasmine, Kiana, Nya, Nygil, Zuri & Corey…I’m Pleading on the Blood of Jesus for us & to everyone who stands in the Gap, Amen🥰🙏🏾

  33. For the spirit of wisdom and understanding to see and walk in the supernatural regarding all that concerns me, for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life and the life of my family.

  34. Hello WoG, Please trust God with me. Am believing God for a better Job, Thyroid healing, and stability in my family. With God all thing arepossible.

  35. L
    pray for my daughter who is struggling with alcohol that God will help her sort out her underlying issues that are making her feel frustrated.

    Jamie I pray that the Lord according to His riches in glory provides for you a permanent place and give you peace. He is more than able to do that.

  36. Thanks for the upliftment.

    My nephew Joel Kofi Offei-Addo, 7years and autistic hasn’t spoken since his birth. I want all to lock hands and pray for God’s intervention.
    I am by this word declaring healing for my nephew.

    Amen.

  37. Please pray that my husband would receive his unemployment compensation. He has been off work due to Covid-19 , since the end of March and hd yet to receive anything from unemployment.

  38. Good morning! Our country needs a public prayer revival, now!!!

    Also, please surround my daughter Emily, 28, with prayer, as she just completed her Master in Mental Health Counseling and started a new position at a large mental health counseling agency. She has been there a month and is feeling ‘overwhelmed’ in her transitioning. She truely has a heart in helping people. May she find God’s peace within herself as she gains confidence with all her responsibilities to help others, that she practices self care.

  39. I would like to pray for my husband who has been retrenched at work and know is trying to start his own business and everywhere he goes it is still closed because of the lockdown or they have taken people last week, I am asking God to open the doors so he can start working for his family.

  40. Johnathan & neighbors son- both in dark places mentally. Also for Paulie to come to the Lord.
    I’m praying for Jamie to find a permanent home.

  41. Tyrone is struggling mentally thinking someone is out to hurt him. He’s homeless and said that he’s received Christ but I’m not sure. One day he was fine and the next his mind was gone.

  42. My Son and his Family that I’m cut off from. I don’t know where they are or how they are doing.

  43. Stephen. My son’s 20 yr old best friend. He is trying to get out of a drug addiction. He’s a good kid who just made some wrong turns. Please pray for him.

  44. This is on time word for me and my family. I would like prayer for my son Dennis and I also would like prayer for God to direct me into the right area for housing and to make my ways straight him. Also to pray for my insecurities.

  45. Please, lift up in prayers my daughter, Nancy, and her husband, Fern. They’re having serious financial problems.

  46. My daughter Melody is 15 and has been nursing anger and bitterness towards her brother Jason who is 17 for an issue that happened between them almost 2 years ago. Jason had a breakdown due to an undiagnosed mental health condition and threatened her safety. He has since been prescribed medications that have helped him greatly and we have all been through therapy to learn how to manage the situation yet she is unable to get past it. My heart aches to see her continually in pain and there is constant tension in our home. Please pray with me to continue to stand against the work of the enemy and for strength to wrap both my children in the blanket of God’s Grace.

  47. Please pray for me and two of my Best friends, Tawana and Meta. Pray that we will make “GOD” and “Jesus Christ” an absolute priority in our lives.

  48. Please lift up my three adult girls. My prayer request is that they would lean on our Father to show their way and have a desire to put on the armor for each other without ceasing.

  49. Prayer me, John and ash
    For protection
    For the sale of our home
    For Joe who is in ICU and Dana who is having hip replacement surgery today
    Thank you!

  50. I’m praying and I ask you to pray for my Aunt as she is battling a very serious infection. I pray for her healing, strength and God’s peace through all of this. I am also standing in the gap for Andrew and all the other people needing prayer.

  51. Please pray for my cousin Kathryn who has been battling stomach cancer. Please pray for my daughter Amy who was just diagnosed with Auto Immune Hepititis.

  52. Please pray for Alex whose baby due in September has a serious heart defect. Alex has gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. She does not know the Lord. Her husband did make a profession of faith but stopped attending church. They have 2 healthy boys.

  53. Praying for salvation for my family and love ones and that they will operate in the ministry He assigns to them.
    Praying for my husband’s new assignment from Jesus.

  54. Sandra,
    I am standing in the gap for you and your family and praying that they will serve God well and with love for Him in their ministries.

    I also pray for Magan who is undergoing a second surgery for cancer on Friday (7/3). I don’t really know her, but she is a Sister in Christ!

  55. Please pray with me for my son Randy. He has started his downward spiral again. He has mental illness as well as drug addiction and alcoholism. As far as I know he is still insobriety but he is spiraling out right now. Please help me pray for God to step in and rescue him. This last time which was less than a year ago he almost died. I don’t know what to do but pray.

    1. May the Lord, ” restore you to health and heal your wounds ” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17. God bless you Krista for standing in the gap for Kelly and Jackie.

  56. Prayers for the Lord to lead both my sons to the Dept He wants them to work at, do they leave? Or do they stay where they are working at now? They are law enforcement. I pray for their protection. Also for our daughter to find her calling and to hear our Lord’s leading. Thank you! God richly bless each of you here with victory.

  57. Monique- strength and discernment in a strained relationship. And successfully passing a major exam this month.

  58. May the Lord, ” restore you to health and heal your wounds ” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 30:17. God bless you Krista for standing in the gap for Kelly and Jackie.

  59. For me- help with feelings of fear and sadness. Wisdom to know what to do with health issues. Differing opinions on what is happening in our world, in our home and the stress that creates.
    For a friend and her teen.

    1. I prayed for you and for God to watch over you and your sweet babies and for you to see them soon! God is good!

  60. Please pray for my marriage to be healed and reconciled and for all other marriages to be healed and saved too.

  61. Thanks for including me.

    Pray that God will give me the Courage and Strength to embrace the many Saints and lost souls who reach out to me for comfort, counsel and redirection when I feel so many times that someone else is maybe better suited for the task.
    Pray that I may not assess things with my natural eyes, but with Eyes of Faith lean on Jesus for His leading as I follow Him.

  62. My brother Cobus who suffers from severe depression and my sons Michiel and Paul for the Lord to guide them in their lives according to His way.

  63. The Lord knows each need your asking for release your cares to Him he wants you to rest assured pray and give it to Him and wait and see that the Lord is good and cry out and give it to Him and His peace is in resting waiting .the word says in this world you will have troubles but yes but I have overcome this world. My peace I give to you not as the world gives. Trust

  64. Please pray for my family, 1 divorced, 2 not married but living with someone and young children involved, and one has been hurt by the pastor’s son in a perverted relationship. I feel overwhelmedwhen I pray.

  65. Please pray for my husband. That he would be under less work stress. That he would get his priorities right. He would put God first, then our marriage, then our children, that he would not put work first. Pray thst we would be the great husband and father that he once was.

    1. Mary I prayed for you and your husband but I’m only commenting to let you know you are not alone. I struggle with these same issues with my husband. And I pray both our loves get their priorities straight.

  66. Please pray for my husband Michael, a job. My children and their significant others, and my grandchildren, for salvation.

  67. My best friend Phylis, she found out she has triple negative aggressive cancer and has started kemo Monday. Is having a very bad time. God is still in control.

  68. Prayers for my friend Anita whose having a serious 6 hour surgery in her battle against pancreatic cancer. Thank you

  69. Please pray for my family, especially for my daughter (18) who immersed in the lgbt community and very determined to go through transition.
    That the Holy Spirit himself would convince her, enlightened and deliver her before she would make actual step into transition, but above all she would be saved and found her identity in Christ and obeying for God’s call in her life. Thank you

  70. Please pray that my ex will see reason and settle our divorce. He has been repeatedly unfaithful and abusive. Please i am desperate for this to be finalized so that i can move on with my life, raise my children and be of help to others going through something as difficult as this. He stalks me and makes threats on our lives.

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