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 are going to look in God’s Word to see some 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 was grieved and his heart was 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 power 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. 

God chose us, as grandparents to partner with Him in behalf of our children, grandchildren, and future generations to share in His work and blessings.  Jennifer Kennedy Dean writes in her Bible study, Live A Praying Life, “Prayer is the most aggressive, offensive, pro-active, invasive work you can ever engage in.” ₁

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. In order to recognize the deception of the world we along with our grandchildren and their parents must know the Truth.

Since we are living in such crucial times where truth is challenged in the classrooms. It is not only essential to pray for our families individually, but that grandparents unite in prayer to pray for our families. As Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network, I would like to encourage you to join other grandparents praying for their families. 

Most “Grandparents @ Prayer” intercessory prayer groups meet once a month for about an hour and half to share and pray for their grandchildren. 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.

You will find more Grandparents @ Prayer information and testimonials in the Appendix of this book.

As grandparents, let us be the channels through whichGod’s will is brought down to earth for our children, grandchildren, future generations and ourselves.

For personal reflection 

1. Can you think of any other Bible character that stood in the gap for their people?
2. How can we bridge the gap for our grandchildren?
3. How do you see the enemy distracting your grandchildren and their parents?
4. What can we do for our grandchildren know the Truth?
5. What is our spiritual responsibility as grandparents to reach the next generation for eternity?

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

₁ Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Living A Praying Life, (Birmingham, AL: New Hope, 2003).  p 60.

By Lillian Penner, Co-Prayer Director for Christian Grandparentring Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net