“Ask
God to help all people; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for
them." ~ 1 Timothy 2:1
Fearing the loss of his job during WWII,
a seminary professor escaped Europe for the United States where he continued
his role of teaching. He struggled at
first, due to his limited English. Soon,
however, Hans became one of the most cherished professors in the seminary. Students appreciated his warmth and patient
personality. In his classroom, the Bible
came alive.
He and his wife Enid were deeply in love. They took long
walks together each day and held hands along the way. Faculty and students noted that when their
eyes exchanged glances, it seemed their minds locked on only thoughts of each
other.
So, when Enid died unexpectedly,
Hans was devastated. His desolation consumed
him: loneliness ripped through his soul wrapping icy tentacles around his heart
so tightly it nearly stopped beating.
The seminary granted him leave
from his teaching duties, and the President and several of Hans’ colleagues
visited him regularly. Nonetheless, he
couldn’t shake the emotional bankruptcy.
There was nothing left to feel, nothing left to say, nothing left but
the void that enveloped his mind in the swirling darkness triggered by Enid’s
death.
Leaving behind their home and native land had been
difficult. They’d witnessed the trauma
of war. But losing the love of his life,
just as they were rebuilding their lives was too much for him. He confessed to some
colleagues during one of their visits, “I’m no longer able to pray to God. In fact, I’m not sure I believe in God.”
After an awkward moment of silence, the seminary President
responded, "Then we’ll believe for you. We’ll stand in the gap and pray urgently for
you."
The men looked confused by what the President had said. Praying for Hans they understood, but
believing for him?
Yet they agreed to pray for Hans and to ask God to restore his
faith. They also visited Hans frequently;
never trying to talk him out of what he was experiencing.
Months later, as the men gathered again in Hans's living
room, Hans greeted them with a broad smile.
"It’s no longer necessary for you to pray for me,"
he said. "Today, I’d like you to
pray with me.”
Part of our responsibility as Christians is to pray for
God’s intervention in the lives of others.
The idea of “standing in the gap” for others comes from 1st Timothy
above.
Intercessory praying requires commitment on the part of the
person doing the praying. It’s not just a
one-time prayer, but rather a request that’s brought before God many times
until the recipient experiences results.
These prayers are especially sweet to God.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege of
praying for others. I've received
others' prayers so often, I understand their power. Cleanse my heart of any unconfessed sins so
that my intercessory prayers will not be hindered. I thank you that I can come boldly before You
and pray with confidence, knowing that You hear me. Amen
