“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. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.” Ezekiel 22:30,31

God was looking for someone, anyone, to intercede on behalf of the land and found no one. So He began destroying it. If God had found someone, He would not have destroyed it. The spiritual atmosphere there must have been nearly dead.

God relies heavily on us praying so that He can act in response to them. There are many things God will not do unless we pray. Our prayers are often critical to Him so He can act on our behalf.

Here is an example of when God wanted to destroy people but someone stood in the gap between them and God and asked God to spare them, and He did. 

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. “They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. “Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.” Exodus 32:7-10

Then Moses pleaded the case for the people, and “The LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.” Exodus 32:14

God listened to Moses and changed His mind about destroying the people. The bible is full of other examples of people who prayed to God for others, and He answered. 

God expects us to pray for other people, and will answer our prayers. Pray up some prayers, any prayers but don’t be silenced into not praying. 

What if you are the only person available for praying for your family, a situation, a person or country? What if you are the only true Christian God has appointed to be praying for someone? Your prayers might matter to God more than you think. You and I don’t know everything, though God does. All we need to do is respond to God and obey Him. We may not be told fully how our prayers have affected others until we get to heaven. God sees, God knows and God rewards. 

It is always a faith builder when you are told how a situation has turned out and you know God answered your prayers. Or yours combined with other Christians you know were also praying for the situation.  

Your relationship with God is maturing all the time, and He considers you a reliable, faithful friend who can be counted on to serve Him in prayer on earth. It is a huge joy and privilege to pray for others, no matter what they look like or how poor or rich they are.

Michael Hume. The Holy Spirit teaches you everything.  Copyright belongs to author.