Ezekiel 22:30

 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

I remember one of my first lessons in prayer as a young Christian. Through a series of events I found myself on the other side of the planet on a short term mission. The sounds, smells and cultural differences had me bewildered and homesick. As a result prayer this one day was extremely difficult. I was alone in a battle and loosing.
I made quick phone call to my home church asking people to pray for me. A few hours later as I sat dejected in my room it was suddenly like an extractor fan sucked the oppression out and it was replaced with the sweetness of God's presence. Someone, somewhere had begun to pray for me. They stood in the gap and built a wall of prayer on my behalf.

From thousands of miles away their prayer changed my situation. Prayer is that powerful - it goes everywhere God is. God moves through prayer and without prayer God doesn't move. When He acts, he first acts on His people to pray.
I believe it is built into creation - creation is made from God' voice, when he speaks to creation now He does it through the voice of His people. That's prayer.

How painful for Ezekiel to receive that word - was there really no one?
Is there today? I think there is.

We are called to build a wall and stand in the gap.

Consider the prayers of Moses and Samuel for their nation:

Exodus 33:12-13

Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Moses prayed this right after they have worshiped the golden calf and rejected God!

1 Samuel 12:22-23

For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you...

This is Samuels final address to the nation after Saul is confirmed King, and God demonstrates His displeasure at the people's rejection of Him.
In both cases there was someone who stood before God - in the gap - and prayed. God's grace and power is released by those in the gap. 

Let me say it again: Prayer is that powerful - it goes everywhere God is. God moves through prayer and without prayer God doesn't move. When He acts, he first acts on His people to pray.

Our church, our families, our friends, our communities and our nation need a prayer wall built, and God is currently recruiting.
If you and I don't step into the gap - who will?

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