By nature of how British (subway) trains are built, there is a gap between the platform and the train itself. This presents a safety concern, and passengers entering and exiting “The Tube” are asked to “mind the gap” in an ongoing series of automated announcements. One has to step over the gap and take extra care to wheel their luggage and strollers over it.
Gap injuries are numerous – some 1,364 minor injuries, 51.6 average major injuries, and at least 3 fatalities – per year. Solutions have been proposed, but none seem effective enough to bridge the gap.
Is someone supposed to stand in the gap at every station, at every train door, on every platform, holding every passenger’s hand in Great Britain?
That “mind the gap” announcement must play over the loud speaker in British stations as much as “stand clear of the closing doors, please” plays in New York City subway trains. I think about that constant gap reminder every time I hear someone refer to that “standing in the gap” Bible reference.
Standing In The Gap
Ezekial 22:30 refers to “standing before me in the gap” of the walls in Jerusalem. High walls surrounded the city to protect it from invaders. Any breach in the wall left unattended or in disrepair posed a threat to security. The city could be taken over or destroyed.
God was ready to pour out His wrath over the sins and abuses of the nation of Israel. He couldn’t find a single righteous person willing to intercede and ask for mercy over the great city. He found no one to “stand in the gap” of the crumbing walls in the path of impending destruction and plead for mercy on behalf of the people, to attempt to build the wall back up in His name, and to humbly ask for God’s forgiveness and grace.
He found NOBODY.
People Say They Pray For Me
People tell me every day that they are praying for me. I am often overwhelmed with emotion when I hear that from faithful folks I know. I find that anybody willing to “stand in the gap” for me incredibly humbling. What an honor! I could not ask for a more perfect gift than someone praying, actually talking directly to God Himself to intercede on my behalf in an effort to bring about my healing and peace.
On the other hand, I sometimes wonder if some of the thoughts-and-prayers sentiments I get from others are legit. Really? Are you really taking the time to pray for me? I guess I can’t worry with it, even if it makes my hackles go up and the whole thing feels disingenuous. God knows. I’ll just say that anybody who says they are praying for anybody else but actually never does or has no intention of it deserves itchy mosquito bites. There. Not sorry.
What Happens When We Intercede
I found this really cool article online that talks about what happens when we pray on behalf of another person. Go read it for yourself, but real quick…
- We participate in God’s work.
- Praying for others emulates Jesus.
- We help carry each other’s burdens.
- We participate in the work of salvation.
- We learn to trust God.
- When we pray for others, we are also changed.
- We glorify God.
- God answers.
Mind The Gap
Thank you for your efforts to “mind the gap” and intercede on my behalf. I’m aware of the risks of brain surgery (the space between the platform and the train). I’m navigating the dizziness, the weakness, the struggles (stepping carefully over the gap). I’ll be heading into surgery in time (making it across the gap without incident).
Your standing there in the gap for me, asking God to help me across safely, is remarkable. My heart is full knowing that this is not a situation where He can find NOBODY. There are plenty of SOMEBODIES standing tall and unwavering in between the walls of my fragile health in an effort to make them strong and impervious again.
Know this…I’m standing in the gap for all of you, too. Grateful.
#pray4msa #powerinthepurple #graceanddignity
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Tags: brain tumor, brain tumor awareness, intercede, meningioma, meningioma awareness, mind the gap, mom blog, power of prayer, pray