Standing in the Gap

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."

The word that came to my mind this morning during my quiet time was standing in the gap. There are three ways I feel like God is calling me to stand in the gap today. 1) For families that are picking up their kids today in China, 2) for someone who just discovered their spouse may have GBM, and 3) for marriages. 

1. Today my Facebook feed was filled with beautiful families who decided to take a leap of faith and stand in the gap for children who needed families. It brought tears to my eyes to see these parents united with the children that they have prayed for, pursued, filled out countless hours of paperwork, and journeyed half-way across the world. My heart is so happy for these families and for these children who now have a forever family. I also know that the first few days will be filled with mixed emotions for these children as they leave everything they know behind. Will you pray with me for these families as they adjust to their new lives and their new normals? 

2. My Facebook feed was also filled with some sad news. I discovered through a friend that another adoptive mom's husband just had brain surgery yesterday for a tumor. The doctors believe that it may be GBM. This beautiful family has 10 kids! I do not know this lady personally, and yet I understand the anguish and heartache she is experiencing right now. I know that many of you shared our story and that complete strangers around the country, and even the world, prayed for us. Will you pray for this family too? Pray that God gives them a peace that passes all understanding and that they will rest in knowing that God is the one who numbers our days, not the doctors. I really do not like it when doctors say, "You have maybe 6-12 months!" Thankfully, Wayne's doctors never said that, I had to google GBM to find that out myself (note: google is not your friend for looking up medical things). Please stand in the gap with me and pray for this family.

3. In the last few months, I have seen numerous friends write that they have divorced or are facing difficult circumstances in their marriages. This makes my heart break. I feel like Satan is working over time trying to destroy marriages all around me. Marriage is a beautiful picture of Jesus and the church, so Satan would love to do anything he can to destroy these pictures. Will you stand in the gap with me and pray for our marriages? Pray first that spouses keep their eyes on the Lord, He is the one that can save our marriages and help us grow closer together. Second, pray that couples keep each other first before anything else, including their children, and that they communicate openly with each other. Unexpressed and unmet expectations will destroy a marriage. Third, pray that we will surround each other and encourage one another in our marriages. We should help each other fight to save and protect our marriages. Let's stand in the gap for marriages!