Standing In The Gap

Standing in the Gap

Women Who Interceded For Others

Two of the most admirable women in the Old Testament interceded for others. Abigail intervened when her drunken husband insulted David and his men after they had generously protected Nabal’s flock. Knowing that David would avenge the offense, Abigail rode out to meet him. Her gifts of food and soothing words persuaded David to turn aside from his anger. Abigail’s wise actions saved the lives of many and protected the next king of Israel from unnecessary bloodshed.

When one of the Persian king’s advisors got him to set a date for the extermination of Jews in his kingdom, Queen Esther risked her life to intercede for her people. Esther patiently waited on God’s timing to plead her cause. In the meantime, God arranged circumstances to make King Xerxes favorable toward Esther’s request. Esther’s courage and dependence on God saved the Jewish people and destroyed the man who had tried to annihilate them.

Christians have the great privilege and responsibility of interceding for one another before God’s throne. Although we are blessed with being able to approach God directly, James 5:16 makes it clear that we sometimes need to confess a sin to a fellow believer and ask that person to pray for us. We can request prayer for others’ material needs, relationship problems, healing, or spiritual growth. We also have the privilege of praying for persecuted believers throughout the world.

In our ministry of intercessory prayer, it’s encouraging to remember that Jesus does the same thing for us. Although we are freed from the condemnation of sin by trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection, Satan is still our accuser. Jesus is the defender who presents our cases before God. The One who hears our intercessory prayers for others also intercedes for us.

Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Romans 8:34 (NIV)