STAND IN THE GAP
Intercession for a Nation
By Reverend Gary Hoban
“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land…” – Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV)
There are moments when God looks for someone willing to stand in the gap. Ezekiel 22:30 describes the Lord seeking a person who would build up the wall and stand before Him on behalf of the land. This is not a call to fear or political outrage. It is a call to intercession, repentance, courage and faithful spiritual responsibility.
GOD STILL LOOKS FOR INTERCESSORS
Intercession is more than presenting a list of needs. It is agreeing with the heart of God and carrying people, churches and nations before Him. The intercessor refuses indifference and chooses to pray until the burden is released or breakthrough comes.
STANDING IN THE GAP BEGINS WITH REPENTANCE
We cannot pray effectively for a nation while refusing God’s work in our own hearts. Daniel identified with the sins of his people and prayed with humility. Before asking God to change Australia, we must remain willing for Him to search and change us.
BUILD THE WALL – DO NOT ONLY DESCRIBE THE BREACH
It is easy to identify what is broken. Watchmen and intercessors are called to help rebuild. We strengthen the wall through prayer, truth, discipleship, healthy families, courageous churches, mercy, justice and faithful Gospel witness.
PRAY WITH FAITH, NOT PANIC
Biblical intercession is serious, but it is never hopeless. Jesus Christ remains Lord. Fear magnifies the problem; faith magnifies God. We acknowledge the challenges facing the nation while refusing to surrender our confidence in the power and mercy of God.
UNITY STRENGTHENS THE WATCH
No single ministry, denomination or prayer network carries the whole assignment. Australia needs believers who can pray together without demanding uniformity. We stand around Jesus Christ, Scripture and the Gospel, honouring the different parts of the Body while pursuing one Kingdom purpose.
INTERCESSION MUST LEAD TO OBEDIENCE
Prayer is not an escape from responsibility. As we pray, God may ask us to forgive someone, serve a neighbour, support a ministry, speak the Gospel, strengthen a family or take practical action. The intercessor must be willing to become part of the answer.
HOPE IS PART OF OUR WITNESS
Australia does not need a Church that sounds defeated. We carry good news. Even when society is confused and institutions are under pressure, the Gospel remains powerful, the Holy Spirit remains active and Jesus remains Lord. We pray from that place of hope.
INTERCESSION MUST REMAIN BIBLICAL
Prayer becomes unstable when it is driven mainly by rumours, fear or speculation. Scripture gives our prayers boundaries and confidence. We pray God’s promises, God’s priorities and God’s heart rather than allowing every headline to dictate our spiritual focus.
PRAY FOR LEADERS WITHOUT MAKING PRAYER PARTISAN
The New Testament instructs believers to pray for those in authority. Our assignment is to pray for wisdom, justice, restraint, truth and conditions in which people can live peaceably and the Gospel can advance. Intercession must remain bigger than party loyalty.
STAND FOR FAMILIES AND THE NEXT GENERATION
A nation is strengthened when homes are strengthened. Pray for marriages, parents, children, schools and young people. Ask God to restore biblical foundations while giving the Church compassion and practical wisdom to serve wounded families.
STAND FOR THE LOST
The deepest crisis in any nation is separation from God. We must never become so occupied with national problems that we forget eternal souls. Pray for salvation, Gospel conversations, church planting, evangelists and believers who carry Jesus into everyday life.
PERSEVERE WHEN NOTHING SEEMS TO CHANGE
Some intercession is answered quickly; some requires years of faithful prayer. Jesus taught His disciples that they should always pray and not lose heart. Faithfulness is not measured only by immediate visible results.
TAKE YOUR PLACE ON THE WALL
You may never stand behind a pulpit or lead a national gathering, but you can stand in the gap. Pray for your street, church, workplace, city and nation. Ask God for your assignment, then remain faithful in it. Australia needs ordinary believers who will keep watch and keep praying.
PRAY FOR THE CHURCH TO BE COURAGEOUS AND KIND
Australia needs churches that will not compromise biblical truth, but neither should truth be separated from the character of Christ. Pray for courage without harshness, compassion without compromise and leaders who model both conviction and grace.
PRAY LOCALLY AS WELL AS NATIONALLY
National prayer becomes practical when believers know the needs of their own communities. Pray for local schools, hospitals, police, councils, businesses, churches and families. Ask God to show you the people and places immediately around you that need faithful prayer.
REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Intercession is strengthened by testimony. Remember what God has already done in your life, church and nation. The same God who answered prayer in previous generations is still able to save, heal, restore and revive today.
THIS MONTH: STANDING IN THE GAP
A call to persistent intercession for Australia – for the Church, families, leaders, communities and those who do not yet know Christ. We will pray with humility, biblical conviction and hope.
10 PRAYER POINTS
• Clean hearts among intercessors – Psalm 51:10
• Repentance and refreshing – Acts 3:19
• Unity in the Body of Christ – John 17:21
• Wisdom for pastors and leaders – James 1:5
• Strength for marriages and families – Joshua 24:15
• Protection and truth for children – Psalm 91
• Justice and wisdom in public leadership – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
• Gospel breakthrough in communities – Romans 1:16
• Labourers for the harvest – Matthew 9:38
• Revival and mercy across Australia – Habakkuk 3:2
PRAYER FOCUS
Persistent, biblical intercession for Australia. Pray for clean hearts, unity in the Church, strong families, wise leadership, Gospel breakthrough and revival across the nation.
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land…” – Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV)
A PRAYER FOR AUSTRALIA
Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the name of Jesus Christ.
Search our hearts and cleanse us from pride, fear, bitterness and unbelief.
Teach us to stand in the gap with humility and faith.
Strengthen Your Church and bring unity around Jesus, Scripture and the Gospel.
Give wisdom and courage to pastors and spiritual leaders.
Protect families, children and young people.
Grant wisdom, justice and restraint to those in public authority.
Open doors for the Gospel and draw many Australians to Christ.
Raise faithful watchmen and intercessors in every community.
Have mercy on Australia and revive Your Church again.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
OUR MISSION
To equip, encourage and mobilise Spirit-filled believers to pray, proclaim God’s Word and contend for revival, reformation and the advancement of God’s Kingdom in Australia.
CONNECT WITH US
CONNECT WITH US
Telegram: t.me/IntercessorsforAustralia
Zoom Prayer Meeting: Wednesdays — 6:30 PM AEST
Email: info@refinerylife.org
Website: www.refinerylife.org
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
LET US STAND TOGETHER IN PRAYER. GOD IS NOT DONE WITH AUSTRALIA!
WATCH • PRAY • DISCERN • STAND
NEXT WEEK
Issue 10 – Continuing the call to watch, pray, discern and stand for Australia.
