God uses People to Bridge the Gap

The Bible describes prayer as “Standing in the Gap” or “Bridging the Gap,” the channel through which God’s will is brought to earth. We will look in God’s Word to see examples of people he used to stand in the gap so his purpose could be accomplished.

God chose or appointed Moses to stand in the gap between His people, the Israelites, and Pharaoh. Esther stood in the gap for her people, the Israelites, with prayer and fasting when Haman wanted to destroy them. 

God grieved, and his heart filled with pain because the earth was corrupt and filled with violence.  But God used Noah, a man with whom he found favor, a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. So, God chose Noah, his wife, and three sons and their wives to stand in the gap, safe in the ark while God flooded the earth and all living creatures perished.

After God created the earth, He said, “It was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) There was no gap between God and the earth; however, after Adam and Eve sinned, sin created a gap between God and what He had planned for the earth.   

Fortunately, God stood in the gap for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to the earth to live as a man, die for our sins, and arise from the dead so we could have a personal relationship with Him.  

God is our source of power, and He chose us to be intercessors, a channel for His ability to bridge the gap between himself and the earth. Daniel knew that prayer was the means that would bring God’s will from heaven, causing His will to be activated, releasing His power for His purpose on earth. 

Just as Jesus, Moses, Esther, Daniel, Noah, and many others in the Bible stood in the gap, grandparents have the privilege to stand in the gap with a prayer for our families.  Satan is very active in the world today; he knows his time is short. It is time for grandparents to urgently and intentionally pray for God’s physical, emotional, and spiritual protection for our family members.  

Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-18. We are to be strong and firm in our relationship with the Lord. We are to stand firm against Satan’s well-thought-out plans and agenda for our children, grandchildren, and ourselves. To recognize the world’s deception, we, along with our grandchildren and their parents, must know the Truth.

 As Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network, I would like to encourage you to join other grandparents praying for their families. During this pandemic, it may not be possible to meet with other grandparents. But find a friend to pray with for your grandchildren and their parents. My prayer group meets on ZOOM each month. It’s a safe place for grandparents to share their concerns and know others are praying with you. 

As grandparents, we can make a difference in the world by praying regularly and deliberately for our grandchildren and their parents. It is our responsibility to powerfully touch the lives of their generation for eternity through prayer.

For personal reflection or group discussion:

1. How do you see the enemy distracting your grandchildren and their parents?

2.  What can we do for our grandchildren to know the Truth?

3.  What is our spiritual responsibility as grandparents to reach the next generation for eternity?P

Dear Father, show me where and how you want me to stand in the gap with a prayer for my grandchildren and their parents. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Lillian Penner, Prayer director for Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

PS: This blog was taken from the book, Grandparenting with a Purpose, Effective Ways to Pray for your grandchildrenavailable on this website.