Interceding For Believers

Posted by Rev. Mark Slay

God wants you to pray for other people because otherwise some of them are not going to see God; they're not going to know God unless you do something. God is going to bring someone into your life that doesn't know that Jesus is their answer. They will look everywhere in the world for their answer but they won't look to Him. Well, we've got the answer for them and we know where to go for the solutions.

In Ezekiel 22, Israel was not cooperating with God and He warned them that trouble was going to come on them if they didn't listen. He was trying to get someone to stand up and help them see that what they were doing was totally wrong, but He wasn't able to find someone who was in the right position to be used. There will be people that need your prayers or they just won't ever see it.

Ezekiel 22:30 - I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.

This was written in regards to this nation, but you can also take this on an individual level. I promise you that there are people in your sphere of influence that will only listen to you. God is looking for somebody to reach them. This verse is talking about prayer, but it's not always about prayer; sometimes you just need to open up your mouth and say something. Your walk and your talk are both equally important. You have to have both. Your love for people ought to motivate you to speak up and say something.

I John 5:16 - If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.

He's not talking about physical death in this verse. He's saying that believers can get to the place where they get away from God and never return: "There is a sin leading to death." But, if they have not committed a sin leading to (eternal) death, God will honor your prayers for that person.

He looked for a person that would stand in the gap, but He couldn't find one. Can He find you? Will you be the one that intercedes for the ones God has placed in your life? I don't know if you will or if you won't, but I do know that they need you.