2020 Vision 06 - "Mind the Gap"

2020 VISION – MIND THE GAP

You have to watch where you are walking to see them, but dotted all over London are signs that read, “Mind the Gap”. They warn you to be careful when stepping off the platform and onto the train because there’s a dangerous gap between the two. Mind the gap, pay attention, take notice that it’s there.

For centuries cities protected themselves by erecting strong, thick walls, some of which still stand proudly today. For example, you can still walk atop much of the old city wall of Chester (followed by a boat ride on the river and a stop for ice cream makes for a lovely day). Breach those walls, make a gap in those walls, and the city was vulnerable to enemy attack. Breach the capital city’s walls and the nation was in danger of falling. The only way to secure the city and nation was for people to literally stand in the gap and fight.

When the walls of the capital city of Jerusalem had been breached, the prophet Ezekiel tells us that God was looking for people to stand in the gap but could find none. The implication is that God was looking for people who would fill the breach with prayer to Him for the city, and He would defend and spare it. But He found none.

Watching the Governor’s daily briefing on Facebook Live helps me to know how to pray specifically for him and the COVID-19 taskforce. However, I am saddened by the stream of rhetoric that the briefing receives, and can imagine how discouraging it is to be on the receiving end. While it is easy to shout at the screen, or work the thumbs to send off an opinion, consider the alternative, to be willing to stand in the gap for our state, to fill up the breach with prayer, no matter your political affiliation.

We are all weary of the situation, no less those tasked with managing it. And in our weariness it is easy to actually contribute to a breach.

It is currently an election year and we are in primary season, made more challenging by the COVID-19 restrictions. Vote, please, but please, also pray fervently for your public servants; fill up the breach with prayer to God. I know, it’s a battle to choose prayer over rhetoric. Prayer is a battle because prayer is the battle.

Easy Prayer helps:
• http://thepsp.org gives you the names of three of your federal and state leaders to pray for daily. We cover all fifty states. • Beyond the Ballot, A Call to Pray for your Nation. Through Bible study, meet the prominent women of Scripture that impacted kings and kingdoms, and glean helps to pray effectively. http://rbpstore.org/

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more…” (William Shakespeare)