Standing in the gap with prayer & How to do it boldly
Recently I dove into some study about prayer, I wanted to really understand the why and how. After all, if God already knows what’s on our hearts, why pray? Well as it turns out, prayer is mostly about us, not about trying to convince God to grant our request.
Main Reasons I studied:
To effectively stand in the gap
You see, I’ve never been one to tell someone I was going to pray for them as a way of avoiding getting into a lengthy conversation, or simply out of not knowing what else to say. I find we (Christians) do that a lot. Praying for you! Isn’t that how it usually goes? Why do we do this? We’re supposed to be a body, and if our leg or arm is hurting we ought to take care of it, not ignore it and hope the infection goes away. Also, just because an injury to our body is no longer visible doesn’t mean it’s healed correctly. I don’t want to be that person. I don’t want to coddle someone with empty words, instead I want to be an effective crutch along side a broken member of the body.
To have bold prayer
In addition to making sure I’m willing to stand in the gap for others, I want to make sure I was confident in my prayers. Sometimes my prayers include words like: “if you want to”, “maybe” “whatever you think is best”. I’m tired of that, I want to be bold in my prayers. I wanna be able to say Lord, you told me I could ask, so I ask with assurance.
What I learned:
Standing in the gap
Through study I found out that not only is it simply a good thing to do, but God is actually calling us to pray for others. In Ezekiel 22:30, we see a scene where God is searching for someone (just one person) to take a stand. To come before Him, alone with a sincere heart, and stand in the gap for a city that is totally broken. God was searching for a least one person who knew His commandments and had a heart to do what was right.
I realized that when we lift others up in prayer, we’re standing right in God’s will, this is exactly what He wants us to do. You see had he found someone to come before him as a representative of that city, things could have gone a different way. When we have a personal connection and spiritual investment to the prayers we pray, God can use us to make change happen. But if you’re not there, in that place of need praying, there’s no one for God to use and an intercessor.
Scripture to back up Bold prayers
John 15:7
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you
Daniel 10:12
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
I Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
II Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
I Timothy 2:8
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Ezekiel 22:30
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.
Prayer Cards
In response to this study I’ve created these prayer cards to carry with me wherever I may roam. I always want to be ready to respond when a need for prayer arises. I often I write these out and pray for brothers and sisters without them even knowing it. While scrolling through social media, driving down the street, or simply when the Holy Spirit lays someone on my heart.
I never want to lose track of a person or their need. So to ensure you don’t, get yourself a coupon organizer from the dollar store (as I did). Fill out the tabs with days of the week, then organize all your cards. Use these prayer cards to help you stay committed and remember all those who need to be held up in prayer. To help you pray bold and with assurance I’ve put included a line where you can reference a Bible verse. This verse should be one that will directly influence your prayers. I’ve even added a line for praise report! Because c’mon, we all want to see the fruit of our labor, but even if I never do, I can know I’m standing int the gap & in His will!
So naturally, now’s the time to ask you if there’s anything I can partner in prayer with you about. Remember there is no prayer too big, or too small for our God. Message me through any social media platform, or simply through e-mail.
Click here to get your free copy of these prayer cards.
***While doing my study I came across this Proverbs 31 Ministry article about praying boldly. This post is everything that I was feeling before I did my study. However, I still wanted to continue writing my post with my words. I desire to see you grow along with me, so I’m sharing this with you in hopes that another perspective will do just that.
17 Comments
Really enjoyed this! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks so much for stopping by Heather.
I love the verse from II Chronicles! My husband and I have been praying boldly about something in our lives and have watched God move in BIG ways. Thank you so much for sharing these great verses.
Kelly, how exciting is it to literally be able to sit back and watch God move?! I love that!
Love this and that you commit to pray when you say you will. Before I was saved I didn’t believe people meant it, I thought it was just something you say. Now when I say I will pray I try to do it on the spot and right it in my prayer journal so I don’t forget! Xoxo Erin
Hey GIRL! Erin, same here. When I heard people say that, it felt so fake to me, and I just can NOT be that person. I know who I’m hitting up next time I have a prayer request of my own!
Those prayer cards are the cutest! Love the idea!
Aw Thanks Jennifer-I may do a few more sets, I love how they turned out.
Wow! What beautiful prayer cards!
Thank you for reminding me that God cares about my prayers.
Thanks Bailey, that makes me so happy to hear. And YES, He does. He desires communication and relationship with you.
Most times when I tell someone I am going to pray for them, I do it immediately. I’m not necessarily amazing at praying right there with them but I’ve seen some amazing prayer warriors do just that. I do know that with all that I have going on, I can stop what I’m doing right then and send up a silent prayer no matter when. Amazing piece!!
Brittany, I love that you said that. I’ve been trying to teach my kids (and through teaching them, also teach myself) to make an effort to stop right where I am, because prayer is THAT important. Then I write it down and continue in the days to come, to pray. I’m not super great at praying out loud either. I become too self conscience and worry more about the sound of the words, than the heart of my words.
Accidentally sent the wrong website. Sorry!
Inspiration! This post has me excited to be more diligent about boldly and effectively praying for my brothers and sisters in Christ! Thanks for sharing!
Oh goodness Karissa, my heart is so happy to hear that! Thank you for stopping by and sharing.
I totally believe in praying boldly and to pray on the behalf of others. I have also loved seeing your IG posts about praying for others 🙂
As long as we always remember that God doesn’t always answer the way we want Him to, we can pray boldly. Even Jesus prayed “your will be done”, not because he was not expecting God to do great things, but because he knew that God’s ways are always best, even if in our humanity, we think we know what’s best.
But if we remember that while we are praying boldly and standing in the gap, I think God is well-pleased 🙂
Kristin, great point. Praying boldly has always been difficult for me for that very reason. I feel like when I’m being bold, then I’m trying to command the Spirit, but I also know that the Word tells me I can pray bold. There’s definitely a healthy balance that needs to found. I often find myself praying for people,but letting them know that I don’t have answers, and I don’t know what God’s plan for the situation is. Prayer should always include a “you’re will be done” it brings us to a humbling place and helps to remind us that in the end, God knows best. Thank you for your points, I love it.