Hurting from the pain of losing a baby? We want to stand in the gap for you.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (Ephesians 6:18 (NLT).

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 the Jews.

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 parents and 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.”

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.

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

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

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: How to pray for your kids

Questions: How can you best stand in the gap for your family and for others? Can you name some examples of people who stood or are standing in the gap today?

About the Author Lillian Penner

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

Are you hurting from the pain of having lost a loved one? We care and want to pray for you.

The name Jeremiah is Hebrew in origin. It means “the Lord exalts.” Jeremiah is the author of the book of Lamentations. To lament is to express sadness with weeping. It is to mourn. The opposite is to celebrate — yet that’s precisely what Jeremiah does!

In the middle of his sorrow, he finds hope and comfort in his God. Jeremiah said, “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him’” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV).

Babylon had plundered Jerusalem. Yet even as smoke was still rising from the ashes, Jeremiah understood these tremendous keys:

1. God’s compassion never fails.
2. His mercy is new every morning.
3. Great is God’s faithfulness.

How could anyone cry out, “Great is your faithfulness!” in the middle of loss? The answer is that Jeremiah knew God could turn tragedy into triumph. He had a revelation of God’s steadfast love. A love that is resolute despite surrounding circumstances.

Lamentations & You

How about you? Has there been a loss in your life? Have you seen disaster in your home or family? Have you experienced a heart break of any kind?   If so, be encouraged. As you lift your head like Jeremiah and look up, you will see the triumph of Christ on the horizon. God will take the damage you have suffered and turn it into gain. God is your portion. No matter what has occurred in your life, He is your eternal inheritance, lasting measure, and life share.

God is Your Standard for the Flood

Many hundreds of floods occur each year; some are greater in intensity than others. To prevent flood damage, men build defenses such as levees, dams, and reservoirs to deter rivers from bursting over their banks.

One of the greatest dams ever constructed is the Hoover Dam in Black Canyon on the Colorado River, about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It took 21,000 men, more than 5,000,000 barrels of cement, and 726 feet of height to erect the giant barrier and control the flow of water from Lake Mead. The Hoover Dam power plant generates hydroelectric power for use in Nevada, Arizona, and California. It produces more than 4 billion kilowatt-hours a year. That’s enough to serve 1.3 million people.

If a man made dam can do this—what can God Almighty do for you?

Isaiah declared, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him” (59:19, NKJV).

The Lord declares that He himself will stand as a supporting base against the thing that would seek to bring harm to you! Imagine the power of God in your life! Yes, disaster comes. It came to Jerusalem. It came to Jeremiah. It will come to you. But your lamentation during a disaster can turn to unexplainable joy as God’s dynamic power rushes over you.

God alone causes the clinching of man’s heart to cease:

* He did it for Joseph as Joseph knew God’s promotion and ruled in Egypt.
* He did it for Esther as Esther knew God’s providence and saw the deliverance of the Jews.
* He did it for Ruth as Ruth knew God’s redemption and became the great grandmother of David.
* He did it for David as David knew God’s loving-kindness and led the nation of Israel.
* He did it for the Lord Jesus as Jesus knew God’s sovereign will and died on the cross for your and my sins.

God was steadfast to all of them. And He’ll be steadfast in love to you.

The name Jeremiah means “the Lord exalts.” God will exalt you above your lamentation and sorrow today—just as He did for his prophet of old.

“All your waves and billows have gone over me, and floods of sorrow pour upon me like a thundering cataract. Yet day by day the Lord also pours out his steadfast love upon me” (Psalm 42:7-8, TLB).

Questions: How can your lamentation during a disaster can turn to unexplainable joy?

About the Author Jacqueline Overpeck

Have you ever stopped to realize how many of God’s special people had lowly backgrounds?  Consider the following:
Joseph was a slave and prisoner.
Moses and David were shepherds.
Esther and Daniel were displaced persons of a despised race.
Joseph was a carpenter, and Mary a small-town girl.
Simeon and Anna were little-known prophets.
Peter, James, and John were fishermen.
Dorcas was a seamstress.

Because these people put God first in their lives, consider how God raised them up and used them:
Joseph became second to the Pharoah in ruling Egypt (Genesis 41:40-41).
Moses and David became rulers of Israel (Exodus 3:9-11; 1 Samuel 16:1, 11-13).
Daniel became prime minister of Babylon (Daniel 2:47-49).
Esther became queen of Persia and saved God’s people from extermination (Esther 8).
Joseph the carpenter was chosen to be the “stepfather” of the Son of God;     Mary was His mother (Luke 1:26-35).

Simeon and Anna were used of God to prophesy over the baby Jesus and proclaim who He was and what He came to earth to do (Luke 2:25-38).

Peter, James, and John became Jesus’ foremost disciples and intimate friends.  Peter and John wrote books of the Bible by inspiration of God (Matthew 17:1-3).

Dorcas was raised from the dead; many came to Christ because of this (Acts 9:36-42).

And then there was Jesus.  Although He was the Son of God, He was born in the lowliest of circumstances, in a manger, to a couple with little money.  There was neither fine hospital nor worldly acclaim such as given when a prince is born in England.  Only humble shepherds knelt by His manger to give Him homage.

Philippians 2:5-7 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

When God came as a man, He lived in no great palace as other kings do.  Instead, He said the foxes have holes and the birds nests, but He had no place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20).

Then He gave Himself into the hands of His enemies to be viciously lashed, mocked, and spit upon.  He let them nail Him on a cross.  He, the Almighty God (Isaiah 9:6), humbly allowed this because He loved us and came to save us.

He is coming again to earth–as King of kings and Lord of lords.  And those who have humbly followed in His footsteps shall reign with Him!

Fill my heart with humble gratitude today, Lord. Thank you that You use the ordinary and the un-spectacular. Fill me with Your amazing Holy Spirit today and use me to accomplish Your will. In Jesus’ name I ask this, amen.

Questions: Why do you suppose God used so many “lowly” people to help fulfill his wishes here on earth?

About the Author Muriel Larson

Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s daily devotional, God’s Lowly People, read aloud on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Having fibromyalgia has taught me to see what’s really important in life.

I have been a church attendee most of my life. I knew a lot ABOUT God, but like many people, I didn’t think I needed God in my life.

When I headed off to college, I started getting involved in weekly Bible studies, prayer meetings, and conferences. God really began to show me what it meant to have a personal relationship with Him. I began to understand how much God loves me – He loves me so much that even though I am a sinner, He sent His Son to die for me. I always took that for granted before. Even though I was beginning to understand God more, I wasn’t ready to give EVERYTHING in my life to Him.

Diagnosed with fibromyalgia

Later that year I found out that I had a chronic illness called fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic fatigue, intense muscle pain, sleeping problems, stomach problems, and headaches – whatever is associated with the nerves and muscles. A person cannot die from this illness but it can be very debilitating (and is life-long).

At the time of my diagnosis, I was only 19 years old. I was totally devastated. I mean, I had my whole life ahead of me – I didn’t know what I was going to do. But I did know I wasn’t going to turn to God yet. I remember thinking, “God can’t use me; it’s hopeless. I can barely move because of the pain and I get so tired I can’t even talk – How in the world am I going to be able to serve God?”

Much of that first year was spent in self-pity and depression. Questions like, “Why did I have to get this?” and “How come I am the only one in my family to have it?” seemed to enter my mind more than I could count.

As the year went on, things just seemed to get worse and worse. I finally came to a point where I prayed to God and asked Him to take over my life because I couldn’t deal with it anymore. I told God that I would be willing to do whatever He wanted – but He was going to have to give me the strength and energy to do it. And He has. Ever since then, my life has taken on a new purpose, and a new goal.

Living with a chronic illness

Yes, I still live with a chronic illness (and daily migraines and ovarian cysts), but God gives me the energy and strength that I need to do His work. In fact, most people wouldn’t even guess that I have an illness, and that in itself is a testimony to God’s power, love and grace in my life!

Isaiah 40:31 comes to mind, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This verse is so true in my life. Not once has God NOT given me the strength to do what He asks me to do. Sure, I still have bad times where I don’t feel well and I have to rest – but I could also tell you story after story of how God has miraculously “healed” me so I could go to speaking engagements or so I could meet one on one with individuals. Serving Christ is so exciting to me because He makes the weak strong: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9).

I used to joke about reading the book of Job because it was my life story – but now, I prefer the book of Esther. Esther – because she was a woman willing to be used by God for His glory, no matter what the cost. Having a chronic illness has taught me to see what’s really important in life. And I have learned to appreciate the opportunities God gives me to minister to others.

I used to think that God couldn’t use me and that I might as well die, because it would be better for everyone. But now I look at the life God has given me and I rejoice that I am able to be part of His plan. What a privilege it is to serve Him. I wouldn’t trade my life with anyone else – because God chose ME to serve Him in a special way!

And sure, sometimes I still struggle with seeing how God can use me. But those are the times that God always seems to be nearest to me. And as I continue to trust God He blesses me more and more. Even with the pain I struggle with, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and happiness, because God loves me no matter what I do! I don’t know what I’d do without the love and peace of God in my life!

What about you? Do you need a solution to the chaos of life? Are you tired of trying to do it all yourself? Ask God to be the leverage you need in being more confident in who you are, more in tune with those you love, and more effective in your work for Him. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:

Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.