Stand in the Gap

          Pastor Allan's Sunday sermon from my notes

A Call to Intercession

                                

Pastor Allan was ministering.  - - It is necessary to pray and step up our prayer life by increasing our set time of prayer.  God wants a greater opportunity to continually change you into His image. The only way God can change you is in prayer.  There are different kinds of prayer.  Pray with the Holy spirit, pray in agreement with others, pray as you worship and intercession.  Intercession is when you stand in the gap for a specific person or persons. 

We have a Godly mayor and we need to pray for our Mayor and her staff, pray for our city.  Pray for our chief of police.  Intercede for a city that may not be yours as Abraham did for Sodom and Gomorrah.

God said to Moses, “Get down from this mountain, for the people have sinned and I will wipe them out and make of you a great nation.  Moses bargained with God and stood as an intercessor telling God “No, you can’t do that, because what would other nations say after you brought them out of bondage?”  God listened to Moses and changed His mind about destroying them.  However because they had corrupted themselves God punished them, but did not wipe them out.

God has heard the cries of His people here in the United States.  He orchestrated an election to put President Trump in a Position; that amazed the so called majority.

What is going on in our city?  Many are in need; physically, mentally and spiritually. 

There is a need for jobs, and a solution for the homeless and those battling addiction.  Is there hope?  Can there be change complete and not just to enable those with problems.

Jonah rebelled at first, but finally he obeyed and gave the message to a large city.  He walked for three days over the miles preaching to repent or God was going to destroy Nineveh.  The King put on sack cloth and ashes, and repented as did the people.  God changed His mind when he saw their change of heart. 

As we intercede, God will answer.  We think some are a lost cause and there is no hope for them.  But the Holy Spirit says to pray for them anyway.  Pray that their minds will be turned from evil and embrace the truth of the Gospel.

Intercede for the “Dope House,” and for the “Red Light Houses.”

Do you want to see changes in your neighborhood?  Intercede for them.  They are not happy, and are in a hell of their own making.

There are so many scriptures that tell us that God will restore and heal our land as we humble ourselves and pray.

God loves the world and all in it, including those we may disdain.  God sent a sacrifice to save them.  He sent the Lamb of God to turn their hard hearts to righteous living.

God has beautiful orchards and lands, but some have been left to wither.  Due to the heat of summer, they weren’t watered and cared for.  This can be applied to our citizens in our city.  We need a culture of prayer and intercession. 

There are places in our city where you can’t walk in safety, but they are the ones that need Jesus.

Intercede for others, and be reminded that someone has interceded for you.

Jesus said in John 17:8-9 For I have given unto them the words which thou gave me; I pray for them which thou have given me; for they are thine.

Jesus is our High Priest in heaven and continues to intercede for you.  

Hebrews 7:25,26  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens - -

Stand in the Gap

For Our Church, Our City, and Our Nation

 

Pastor Allan was preaching as I took notes and present an edited message for you.

Pastor stated that our society is entering a season of change and we need leaders who will not compromise. 

 

Many say I am only one person, what can I do about it?  You have heard people make statements like: My vote doesn’t really count; or I’m not educated or capable. 

You might remember in 1963 that one woman, Madalyn Murray Ohair, single handedly had prayer and Bible reading removed from the public schools.  She was one Voice used by Satan to destroy many lives.

 

One Voice – One person can change public opinion for the better. 

Ezekiel 22:30 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.

For someone to stand in the Gap, they intercede on behalf of another.  They rescue and plead for someone, even taking their place.  We can stand in the gap for different things; for salvation, for healing, for deliverance.

God is not a man, He speaks to the elements.

Jeremiah 5:6 Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; See now and know; and seek in her open places if you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth, and I will pardon her.

Isaiah 59:16  He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor;

God seeks for ONE person to stand in the Gap for the city to prevent Judgment.

In the Bible I am reminded of men of God who were willing to stand in the Gap

Moses stood in the Gap and pleaded with God not to destroy the Children of Israel. God was angry with the Children of Israel and wanted to execute judgment on them, but God listened to Moses.

Samuel was another who cried out in behalf of Israel and God answered his prayer.

David’s heart was inclined towards God and he worshiped in behalf of his people.

Psalms 106:45  And for their sake God remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies.

You have family members who are not walking as they should.  We put our self in their place and we cry out to God to have mercy.

Jesus came down from heaven to fill the Gap.  He interceded as He fulfilled the promise of a redeemer.  Jesus stepped up and took our place as He suffered a horrible death. He was willing to die, to be resurrected and to be seated in order to fill the gap and make a bridge between earth and heaven.  Jesus is the only way to the Father, and we can become a bridge for someone who needs Jesus. 

Peter and John stopped at the crippled man, who cried out for alms.  They became the voice of God and the man was healed.  Don’t walk past, but stop. You can be a voice.  Cry out the names of those who need Jesus.  Be noisy. 

If one person in 1963 can change for the wrong, may we sacrifice, fast and intercede and be heard to change our Nation.

Take advantage to stand in the gap when you are worshipping. We all have needs.  Some today are suffering in their bodies, while others are still struggling in their addictions.  We as believers can enter the throne room, stand in the gap and seek their peace.

Some are attending church alone, because you have a difficult time to get husband or wife, or even your children to attend church.  Stand in the gap for them.

You as one person standing in the gap – can and will make a difference.