Standing in the Gap: A Call to Intercession

Devotional

Day 1: The Breach in the Wall—Recognizing Spiritual Decline

Just as God revealed to Ezekiel, a breach in the spiritual wall of our lives and communities leaves us vulnerable to the enemy’s influence and moral decay. When the foundations of faith are compromised—whether in our hearts, families, or society—destructive philosophies and behaviors can seep in, diminishing our relationship with God. The Lord is searching for those who will recognize these breaches, take them seriously, and seek His help to restore what has been lost. Will you allow God to show you where the cracks are, and invite Him to begin the work of repair? [01:11:21]

Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV)
"And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none."

Reflection: Where do you see a “breach” in your own life, family, or community—a place where God’s truth and presence have been compromised? What is one step you can take today to invite God to begin restoring that area?

Day 2: Jesus—The Only One Who Can Bridge the Breach

No human effort can fully repair the spiritual breach caused by sin; only Jesus, our mediator, can stand in the gap between us and God. He alone is able to restore what is broken, heal what is wounded, and bring reconciliation where there is division. When we feel overwhelmed by the brokenness around us or within us, we must remember that Christ has already made a way for healing and restoration. Trust in Him as the bridge over every breach, and let His mercy fill the gaps in your life. [01:27:29]

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (ESV)
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have tried to “fix the breach” on your own? How can you surrender that area to Jesus today and trust Him to be your mediator and healer?

Day 3: God’s Call for Intercessors—Standing in the Gap

God is actively seeking people who will stand in the gap through prayer and intercession for others. Intercessors are those who, like the watchmen on the wall, see the needs and brokenness around them and respond by bringing those needs before God. This is not a passive calling, but an invitation to actively intervene, pray, and seek reconciliation for families, communities, and nations. Will you answer God’s call to be an intercessor, even when it feels like you are standing alone? [01:33:51]

Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV)
"And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none."

Reflection: Who is one person or situation God is placing on your heart to intercede for today? Will you commit to pray specifically for them, asking God to bring healing and restoration?

Day 4: The Power of One—God Honors Those Who Stand in the Gap

Throughout Scripture, God honors those who are willing to stand in the gap on behalf of others, even when they are the only ones doing so. Whether it was Aaron stopping a plague or Paul interceding for the lives of those on a storm-tossed ship, God responds to the faith and prayers of one person standing for many. Your willingness to pray, serve, and seek reconciliation can have a profound impact on your family, church, and community. Don’t underestimate what God can do through your obedience. [01:40:16]

Acts 27:22-25 (ESV)
"Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel alone in your faith or efforts. How might God be calling you to stand in the gap, trusting that your prayers and actions matter?

Day 5: Becoming Agents of Reconciliation—Living Out the Call

Now that Jesus has bridged the ultimate breach, He calls us to be agents of reconciliation in our world. This means not only praying, but also taking practical steps to bring healing, restoration, and the presence of God into broken relationships and situations. As you answer God’s call to stand in the gap, let the Holy Spirit empower you to be a peacemaker, a restorer, and a vessel of God’s mercy. Stand in the gap and watch what God will do through your obedience. [01:43:48]

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV)
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

Reflection: Where is God calling you to be an agent of reconciliation this week—at home, at work, or in your community? What is one practical action you can take today to bring God’s healing and peace into that situation?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered around the Lord’s table, reminded that Jesus Himself prepared the meal of redemption for us. Communion is not a ritual to be taken lightly, but a sacred invitation to remember Christ’s sacrifice and the covenant He established. As we reflect on the events in our nation—the violence, the callousness, the dehumanization even among believers—we are confronted with the reality of spiritual decline and moral decay, not just in society but within the church itself. The tragic responses to recent events reveal a breach in our spiritual walls, a vulnerability that allows destructive philosophies and attitudes to seep in.

Ezekiel 22 paints a sobering picture: God searched for someone to stand in the gap, to repair the breach in the wall of His people, but found none. The prophets, priests, leaders, and people all failed in their responsibilities, leading to a breakdown in spiritual and moral integrity. This breach is not just a historical problem; it is a present reality. When spiritual leaders neglect the Word, when people conform to the world’s values, and when we fail to intercede, the enemy finds easy access to our hearts, families, and communities.

Yet, there is hope. Where no human could stand in the gap, Jesus became our mediator, bridging the breach with His own life. He is the only one who can restore what is broken, heal what is wounded, and protect what is precious. But now, as followers of Christ, we are called to be like Him—to be intercessors, to stand in the gap for our families, our church, our nation. This is not a passive calling. It requires prayer, action, and a willingness to be part of God’s ministry of reconciliation.

God is still searching for those who will answer this call. It is not enough to agree in word; we must follow through in deed. Even if it feels like we are standing alone, God honors those who intercede on behalf of others. The challenge is simple yet profound: take time each day to pray, to intercede, to be a gap-filler. In doing so, we become agents of restoration and mercy in a world desperate for both. Stand in the gap and see what God will do.

Key Takeaways

1. The Breach in Our Spiritual Walls Spiritual decline and moral decay often begin with small breaches—compromises in our beliefs, neglect of God’s Word, or indifference to sin. When these cracks go unaddressed, they allow destructive influences to enter our lives, families, and communities. God calls us to examine where breaches may exist and to seek His help in repairing them, lest we become vulnerable to the enemy’s schemes. [72:52]
2. The Responsibility of Spiritual Leadership Prophets, priests, and leaders in Ezekiel’s day failed by neglecting truth, seeking personal gain, and ignoring their call to teach and uphold God’s standards. When spiritual leaders compromise, the people follow, and the entire community suffers. True leadership requires faithfulness to God’s Word, courage to speak truth, and humility to serve rather than be served. [78:43]
3. Jesus, the Only True Mediator No human effort can fully repair the breach caused by sin; only Jesus can stand in the gap as our perfect mediator. His sacrifice bridges the divide between God and humanity, offering mercy and restoration where judgment was due. Our hope and healing are found not in political solutions or human wisdom, but in the person and work of Christ. [86:01]
4. The Call to Intercession God is actively seeking intercessors—those willing to stand in the gap through prayer and action for others. Intercession is not just about personal piety; it is a ministry of reconciliation, a willingness to intervene for the sake of healing and restoration in families, churches, and nations. Even when it feels unnoticed or lonely, God honors those who persist in prayer and advocacy for others. [93:51]
5. Practical Faithfulness: Becoming a Gap-Filler Responding to God’s call means more than a moment of emotional agreement; it requires daily, intentional action. Start with five minutes of intercession each day, lifting up your family, church, and community. Faithfulness in small acts of prayer and obedience can have a profound impact, as God uses those who are willing to stand in the gap to bring about transformation and healing. [113:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Opening Prayer and Communion Introduction
[03:10] - The Sacredness of the Lord’s Table
[07:30] - Communion: Bread and Cup
[20:27] - Proclaiming the Lord’s Death
[22:00] - Announcements and Prayer for Needs
[27:00] - National Tragedies and Spiritual Reflection
[55:51] - The Dehumanization of Others
[62:00] - The Spiritual Temperature of Our Nation
[66:13] - Ezekiel 22: The Breach in the Wall
[72:52] - Vulnerability and Compromise
[78:43] - The Failure of Spiritual Leaders
[86:01] - Jesus: The Bridge in the Breach
[92:04] - The Call to Stand in the Gap
[95:51] - Testimonies of Intercession
[103:13] - Our Role as Modern Gap-Fillers
[113:43] - Practical Steps for Intercession
[116:32] - Closing Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ezekiel 22:23-31 (ESV) — > And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, say to her: You are a land that is not cleansed or rained upon in the day of indignation. The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.”

1 Timothy 2:5-6 (ESV) — > For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Observation Questions

In Ezekiel 22, what specific failures are listed for the prophets, priests, princes, and people of the land? How did each group contribute to the “breach in the wall”? ([01:14:27])
According to the sermon, what does the word “breach” mean in the context of Ezekiel 22, and what does it represent spiritually? ([01:11:21])
What does 1 Timothy 2:5-6 say about Jesus’ role between God and humanity? How is this different from what the leaders in Ezekiel’s time could do?
What was God looking for in Ezekiel 22:30, and what was the result when He found no one? ([01:06:13])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think spiritual decline and moral decay often start with small compromises or “breaches” in our lives, as described in the sermon? ([01:12:52])
The sermon says that when spiritual leaders fail, the people follow. Why is the faithfulness of leaders so important for the spiritual health of a community? ([01:18:43])
According to the sermon, why can’t any human fully repair the breach caused by sin? Why is Jesus the only one who can stand in the gap? ([01:26:01])
The pastor described intercession as “standing in the gap” for others. What does it mean to be an intercessor, and why is this role so important in the church and in our families? ([01:33:51])

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to examine our own lives for “breaches” or compromises. Is there an area in your life—maybe in your beliefs, habits, or relationships—where you sense a crack or weakness that needs God’s help to repair? What is one step you can take this week to address it? ([01:12:52])
Think about the spiritual leaders in your life (pastors, teachers, parents, mentors). How can you support them in staying faithful to God’s Word? Is there a way you can encourage or pray for them this week? ([01:18:43])
The sermon said that Jesus is the only true mediator who can bridge the gap between us and God. Have you personally trusted Jesus to stand in the gap for you? If so, how does that change the way you approach God? If not, what’s holding you back? ([01:26:01])
The pastor called us to be “gap-fillers” through prayer and action. What is one specific person, family, or situation you feel God is asking you to intercede for right now? How will you commit to pray for them this week? ([01:33:51])
The sermon suggested starting with just five minutes a day of intercession. What time and place could you set aside each day to pray for your family, church, and community? How can you make this a regular habit? ([01:53:43])
Sometimes standing in the gap can feel lonely or unnoticed. Have you ever felt discouraged when praying or serving others? How can you remind yourself that God honors those who intercede, even when no one else sees? ([01:35:51])
The message ended with a challenge: “Stand in the gap and see what God will do.” What is one area in your life, family, or community where you want to see God bring restoration or healing? How can you be part of God’s ministry of reconciliation there? ([01:43:13])

Sermon Clips

``No one can stand in the gap. No one can mend the walls. We can't close the breach that our sins have created. But praise the Lord, we know someone that can. The breach can only be bridged by Jesus. You want healing? If there's a breach in your life, if you want to be part of the solution instead of the problem, it's what, you've got to allow Jesus to bridge the breach that you are experiencing. This is, Jesus is the answer. I know that sounds like cliche, but listen to what 1 Timothy 2, verse 5 and 6 says. For there is one God and one meteor between God and mankind, the bridge. The man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people, this has now been witness to at the proper time. Scripture confirms that Jesus is the only one that can stop the spiritual breach that all of us have experiences and what this country is going through. [01:25:48] (88 seconds) #JesusBridgesTheBreach

So instead of, like, instead of, like, being worried, instead of being hopeless and always looking to the gloom and doom, like, oh, man, our country is going to pot. No, what we have to do as believers is say, God, you're the only one. Jesus, help us. Breach, stand in the gap. Build that bridge in the breach. Father, fill up that wall. Fix that crack because, Jesus, you're the only one. [01:27:31] (29 seconds) #FaithOverFear

God desires to show mercy. How many of you guys know that we have found mercy in Christ Jesus? Right? There's some of us, we had a spiritual breach not too long ago, and man, our lives were a mess. But how many of you guys are glad that Jesus came in and said, okay, let me get some plaster, let me get some bricks, let me get some, you know, that foam stuff and fill up that breach so that none of the works of the enemy can come in and destroy your life anymore. God desires to show mercy. [01:28:51] (33 seconds) #MercyRestores

This is how we can apply this passage to our lives is that we become intercessors. Now, what does it mean to intercede? This is what it means to intercede, to intervene between parties with a view, with a view to reconciling differences. To intervene, meaning there has to be an action in our part to actually walk over to the breach and say, I'm going to be somehow be used by God to bring reconciliation. [01:33:04] (35 seconds) #IntercedeForReconciliation

God honors the one who stands in the gap on behalf of the many. God honors the one who stands in the gap on behalf of the many. Listen to this passage. Worship team, if you can come. Acts chapter 27, verse 21. And can we play that first song? I forgot the name of the song, but it was really cool. It was really good. And I just thought it fits so well to today's message. God honors the one who stands in the gap on behalf of the many. [01:39:48] (31 seconds) #GodHonorsGapMenders

Maybe you're here today and there's a breach in your marriage. Are you willing to be the one that stands in the gap? Are you going to seek after God? Are you going to do what's right? Are you going to put away your agenda and say, Lord, I'm going to, Lord, I'm going to put away my pride. I'm going to put away my own personal feelings and I'm going to make this right. Is there a broken, a broken relationship within your family? Is there something going on in your finances and you're just like, man, there is a breach and things are just coming in and leaking out. The enemy has come in and wreaked havoc upon my thoughts and my heart and my relationships and everything that I touch, it seems to be broken. Will you be the one that says, I'm going to stand in the gap and I'm going to, with God's help, rebuild the wall. Rebuild the wall. [01:42:06] (66 seconds) #StandInTheGapForMarriage

Whenever there's a spiritual decline and moral decay in our society, God is saying here it's because spiritual leaders and spiritual people didn't do what they were supposed to do. That's what this passage is about. But this passage is also about he's provided an answer. Someone that has bridged the breach that has stood in the gap and his name is Jesus. And now that we have Jesus inside of us, how many of us know that we can be like Jesus? And now, in practicality, we can now be the agents that stand in the gap and stop the breach and be able to bring restoration to relationships, restoration to very confusing and difficult times. Bring the presence of God in and say, Holy Spirit, do what you will in my life. I am your servant. Help me to be the one that stands in the gap. Help me to be the one that is, that you are looking for. Someone that intercedes between two parties. Someone that is willing to say, you know what, I'm wanting to be part of the reconciliation process. [01:43:16] (86 seconds) #RebuildTheWallWithGod

I will leave you guys with this one thought. Stand in the gap and see what God will do. Stand in the gap and see what God will do. God is looking and I want to be the one that answers this call. I don't want to be you know what God is...the one that contributes to the spiritual decline and moral decay. I want to be like the prophets, the priests, the princes, and the people of old. I want to be that new creation that God called me to be and to be used by him. [01:44:46] (45 seconds) #LeadersMustAct

Can I encourage you with this? Here's a practical step. Starting today, do the work of an intercessor. Can I ask each one of us, and I'm going to do the same thing. Can you take five minutes today? Everyone hold up your hand. Five minutes. And can you find a solitary place? And say, God, I'm here. I'm going to intercede right now. I don't have a lot of ability. I don't have, like, all this knowledge. But one thing I can do. I'm going to pray for my family. I'm going to pray for my church. I'm going to pray for my community. I'm going to pray for my country. Can we do that for five minutes today? And then can we do it again tomorrow? Can we do it the next day? Can we do it every day of the week? Where we are interceding. Because God is still seeking. He's still searching. Is there a person that will build up a wall and stand in the gap? [01:53:21] (77 seconds) #JesusIsOurBridge

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