Almost every intercessor is familiar with the verse in Ezekiel when the Lord says he sought for a man to stand in the gap, but found none. That is an unfortunate statement when you think about it. The Lord couldn’t find one person willing to pray for their nation. Even Sodom and Gomorrah had Abraham interceding before judgment came. What happens when a city, a church, or a country has no prayer covering? 

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I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for [the sake of] the land, that I would not destroy it, but I found no one [not even one] (Ezekiel 22:30 AMPC). 

A friend recently shared what happens when the relationship between intercessors and pastors or leaders is fractured. Since the beginning of the year, a church dear to her heart has been experiencing a six-month revival. The church was full of people, hungry for worship in Spirit and truth and for the Word and Presence of God. It wasn’t only the church that was seeing a move of God; His Presence was also impacting the city and the state through fervent intercession. When God’s glory invades a space, things cannot remain the same. 

Unfortunately, the enemy was given an opening through an offense between the pastoral staff and the intercessory leaders, and they departed. Eventually, the intercessory prayer team was dismantled, and the direction changed. Shortly after, the community began to feel the difference. The change from being led by the Spirit in another direction. Not only that, the city’s violence has skyrocketed week after week, and murders have significantly increased. Sadly, this happened after the team was removed. 

God protects his people. He hedged Job about, and Satan knew it (see Job 1:10). A hedge was often a stone wall or a thorny bush, serving as a protective barrier to keep the enemies out. It also spiritually implied the protection of God’s Presence. Satan always looks for an inroad into the life of every believer, into our churches, and especially in the lives of those who are called into positions of leadership. This is why intercessors are needed to repair breaches in the walls of their churches, cities, and nation, or to stand in the gap on behalf of leaders. 

God has always welcomed intercession. He allowed Moses to intercede for the Israelites time and time again (see Numbers 14:13-19), even when they rebelled against him. He allowed Amos to intercede for the nation (see Amos 7:1-6).  He let Daniel and Jeremiah intercede on behalf of the country and leaders who sinned against God. Why? Because judgment on a nation or leaders is never God’s first response. It’s always a last resort. He first looks for intercessors. Those willing to selflessly place themselves in the line of fire, to see people repent, humble themselves, and turn to the Lord and away from evil.        

This story was a wake-up call. Pastors and leaders will always be subject to attack, as most called to positions of authority are. Intercessors and prayer teams are often under attack, mainly when their prayers are producing results. Pastors, because satan wants to strike the head and scatter the church. When a Pastor compromises and falls, it doesn’t just hurt their family but also the church and community.  He attacks intercessors because he wants to remove the prayer covering from Pastors, families, and churches. Both are essential, and both need our prayers.

 Intercessors are usually the first to volunteer to pray, but they need prayer too. Sometimes, they come across as flaky or wild to the average believer. All believers pray, and that is a great thing. Still, intercessors see things differently because of the revelatory nature of their prayer, receiving dreams, visions, and prophetic words. With these revelations comes the opportunity for intercessors to succumb to pride.

• Pray that intercessors will choose to steward their gifts with humility. 

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself (Romans 12:16 AMP). 

What happens when Pastors aren’t receiving the revelation that intercessors are receiving? This is where the enemy comes seeking an opportunity to enter through strife and envy. A Pastor may feel threatened by an intercessor’s giftings. An intercessor may think their Pastor lacks discernment and isn’t spiritually mature enough. Soon, they are bickering, offended, jealous, and are no longer walking in unity. 

• Pray against the spirit of strife, discord, and jealousy among leaders and intercessors.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:14-18)

Pastoring and intercession are two entirely different callings. Pastors are God’s chosen authority over His house, the gatekeepers of the church. He is responsible for what is permitted and what isn’t. Intercessors are the watchmen on the walls. Almost all of their work is done in the secret place behind the veil. It’s our job to lift our Pastors and leaders in prayer, because they need it. We are not frontline people, but we stand in the gap and cover those who are. Churches need intercessors, and intercessors need to belong to healthy local churches. 

• Pray for the strengthening of relationships between Pastors (gatekeepers) and intercessors (watchmen). 

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Intercession is not always graciously received or even understood. The enemy will try to work his way in through rejection, which can create wounds that lead to offense. Because of this, intercessors can feel unappreciated, dishonored, and lonely, and may end up leaving their church. We must be people who know how to honor one another.

• Pray for the honor of the church to be restored, especially for those who lead. 
• Pray that leaders and churches will honor the faithful intercessors who love the church and cover them, and all who serve. 

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:9-10).

A  literal picture of intercession straight from the Bible. 

So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows (Nehemiah 4:13).

In this chapter, the prophet Nehemiah led a group to rebuild the city’s walls, which had been destroyed. Notice the very first thing he repaired was the walls, because no walls or gates meant it was easy for the enemies to come in and invade. Their enemies didn’t want this wall rebuilt and continually threatened them. Nehemiah’s response was always prayer to the Lord.

Nehemiah places guards at the exposed sections of the wall. He literally put people in the gaps. He armed them with swords. An intercessor, a Pastor, or any believer’s most important weapon is the sword —the Word of God. There is power when we speak it, pray it, decree, and declare it. 

Another weapon was the spear. Most theologians conclude that the armor of God in Ephesians 6 included a spear or lance. Paul received this revelation about the armor of God while in prison. The Roman soldier’s uniform had the same pieces of armor as the armor of God, including a lance. In Ephesians 6:18, it says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” The spear would be prayer or praying in the Spirit. 

The last weapon was a bow. This, of course, would be needed to shoot an arrow. A bow and arrow is likened to a picture of intercession, as the bow launches the arrow to strike its intended target. Many intercessors are familiar with the term “paga,” the word for intercede, which means to strike the mark. 

Know what you are called to and take your place on the wall. If you are called to a local church, steward it well and be faithful in your prayers for your pastors and the church. If you are called to stand in the gap for government and elected officials, do it faithfully. If there is a special cause on your heart that you want to see God turn around, such as abortion, child sex trafficking, our education system, etc., stay faithful to the call. If you’re called to pray for revival, remain steadfast and stay connected to like-minded believers who share your heart and vision.  

The call to stand in the gap for our nation, leaders, and churches has never been greater. It was the Lord who sought out an intercessor. He looks for those with humility who will lay aside their objections and opinions and say, How do you want me to pray? How can I serve you? May it never be said that God couldn’t find an intercessor for your city, pastors, churches, elected officials, or America. Especially because you are here. You are needed. Your intercession is coveted. Will you continue to stand as a watchman on the wall? If your answer is yes, let’s pray together. 

Here I am, Lord. Use my prayers and intercession to see your kingdom come and your will be done in our cities, churches, and in this nation. You said that if I open my mouth, you will fill it. Let every prayer, decree, or prophetic utterance be Yours and not mine. We pray for our churches, Pastors, leaders, and intercessory teams. We recognize the enemy coming in to sow discord and sever relationships, especially where Your Spirit is moving. Give us eyes to see, and ears to hear, and expose the real enemy at work behind the division. Help us to remain humble and tenderhearted before you, resisting pride. Bless the teamwork between Pastors and intercessors, and let us be a people who give honor to whom honor is due. Help us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, so that we don’t give the devil any place in our relationships or in the churches, in Jesus’ name, amen. 

How will you be praying?

IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor and listen to her podcast, Something To Share. Photo Credit: Intercessors for America.