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Day 231, or August 19, Faithfully Stand in the Gap.

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Our thoughts today are from Ezekiel chapter 22, verse 30.

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I looked for someone among them, who would build up the wall and stand before me in the

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gap on behalf of the land, so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.

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Now the big picture surrounding this verse.

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Part of Ezekiel's pronouncements today include a brief walk through the story so far.

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It is never taken for granted that people know where they are in relation to what has

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already happened.

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Judgment on Jerusalem is certain, as Ezekiel anticipates the Babylonian attack that would

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destroy the temple, and with it the people's main way of approaching their God, through

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the offering of sacrifices.

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And now today's action step.

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Of all the texts in the Bible, this one from Ezekiel is one of those that has many uses.

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We need someone to care for the children on Sunday mornings, who will fill the gap.

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We are badly in need of someone to help with coffee-rotor, who will fill the gap, and so

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on and so on.

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The show must go on, and if you don't fill the gap, then the show could splutter to a

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standstill, because of you.

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I feel sure you have heard such announcements at your church.

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You may even have made them yourself.

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The reality of it is Ezekiel was looking for someone to stand before God and pray for Jerusalem

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and its inhabitants, but no one came forward.

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The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Timothy chapter 2 verses 1 to 2, I urge you first of all to

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pray for all people, ask God to help them, intercede on their behalf, and give thanks

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for them.

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Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority, so that we can live peaceful and

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quiet lives, marked by godliness and dignity.

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So how many of us are standing in the gap and praying for each other?

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Many I'm sure.

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How many of us are regularly praying for our local and national authorities?

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Don't let party loyalties blur the picture.

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All our leaders need prayer.

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Why not begin with prayer for your MP?