Standing in the Gap for the Ones You Love
February 4 marks one of the most momentous days of my life. It’s the day I became a mother.
Even though my son is now a grown man, I still remember the enormous joy, the weighty responsibility, and the overwhelming love that poured from every pore of my body when they laid that bundle of sweetness on my chest.
That was many years ago and now he is grown man.
Watching a child become an adult is a sacred and sometimes daunting journey filled with victories and defeats, celebrations and setbacks, “I’m so proud of you” moments and “I can’t believe you did that” moments. Can you relate?
No matter where you are in the parenting journey, one thing never changes: we pray. We stand in the gap. And if you’re not a mom, there are so many others that need your prayers.
To “stand in the gap” means to step into a breach to defend, protect, or advocate for someone who is vulnerable. In ancient times, soldiers would position themselves in weak spots in a city wall, placing their own bodies between danger and those they loved.
In Ezekiel 22:30, God said,
“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.”
As prayer warriors, we can stand in the gap for those we love. Picture a protective wall surrounding your child or the one you love. Now imagine a hole or gap in that wall—a place of weakness, temptation, fear, confusion, or pain. Through intercessory prayer, we step into that gap and ask God to do what only He can do.
I remember when Steven was a teenager and there were days I thought I might pull my hair out. (Did I just say that out loud?) During one particularly challenging season, someone gave me a poem by Shirley Pope Waite. Its message was simple but powerful: never give up, never give in, and never stop praying.
Our greatest influence in someone’s life may be what happens on our knees.
If you have young children, this is for you.
If you have adult children, this is for you.
If you have grandchildren, this is for you.
If you have nieces or nephews, change a few words and this is for you too.
Most of all, if there is someone you love and long to see God work in their life, this is for you.
I’ll Stand in the Gap
by Shirley Pope Waite
I’ll stand in the gap for my son.
I’ll stand ‘till the victory’s won.
This one thing I know
That You love Him so,
And my work with my child is not done.
I’ll stand in the gap every day,
And there I will fervently pray;
And Lord just one favor
Don’t let me waver
If things get rough, which they may.
I’ll never give up on that boy.
Nor will You, for You promised him joy.
For I know it was true
When he said, “Yes” to You,
Though the enemy seeks to destroy.
I’ll never quit as I intercede
For You are His Savior indeed!
Though it may take years,
I give You my fears,
As I trust every moment I plead.
And so in the gap I will stand,
Heeding Your every command.
With help from above
I’ll unconditionally love,
And soon He will reach for Your hand.
I hope this blesses you today. Print it out. Keep it close.
Let’s pray for each other. Leave the name of someone you’re standing in the gap for today in the comments. Then pray for the name before yours.
Digging Deeper
One of the most important things we can do as believers is pray. And yet, for most of us, it is one of the most difficult. We don’t know what to pray. We get distracted. We can feel like no one’s listening.
Here’s what I’ve found: when you don’t know what to pray, pray the Word of God. When you pray the Word of God, you pray the Will of God.
That’s why I wrote these two books and several prayer cards. Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe and Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe are both 30-Day Powerful and Effective Scripture-Based Prayer resources. And they make wonderful gifts!!! Click here to check them out and learn more.
