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.