Around the world today, many believers endure hardship simply because they bear the name of Christ.

In nations like North Korea, Afghanistan, India, China, and Pakistan, following Jesus comes at the cost of safety, freedom, or life itself. And even here in Nigeria, many regions continue to experience persecution: churches are burned, villages are displaced, raids on Christian communities, and believers are threatened, attacked, and killed.

These are not unimaginable realities; they are the stories of people who share our faith, people who belong to the same body of Christ. Their suffering reminds us that the world is groaning for intercessors, for those who will not turn away but will stand before God with compassion and commitment.
This is what we see in Ezekiel 22:30.

Ezekiel 22:30
New King James Version
30 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, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

In the context of this passage, the nation of Israel was broken. Its leaders were corrupt, its prophets were misleading the people, and its priests had neglected God’s law. The land was filled with injustice. Before judgment came, God searched for someone, one intercessor who would stand before Him on behalf of the land. The phrase “stand in the gap” refers to a breach in the walls of ancient Israel.

When a wall had a breach, an individual could stand in that opening to defend the city. Spiritually, God was looking for someone who would stand in a place of intercession, someone who would plead for mercy and seek restoration. But He found no one.

This shows us how seriously God takes intercession. And this is where the identity of every believer becomes important. Scripture calls us priests.

1 Peter 2:9
New King James Version
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people

When Peter wrote this, the early church was scattered under pressure, facing challenges and persecution. Yet he reminded them that they were priests, people who stood before God for others. Priests offered sacrifices and carried the burdens of the people into God’s presence.

Today, our sacrifice looks different than what the Old Testament priests offered. Our sacrifice is in prayer, and our altar is wherever we stand before God. Intercession is not something reserved for pastors or prophets; Scripture places it in the hands of every believer!! If you belong to Christ, you have priestly access. You have the responsibility to stand in the gap.

This is why Scripture tells us to remember those who are suffering.
Hebrews 13:3
New King James Version
3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them those who are mistreated

This verse was written to believers who were witnessing persecution around them. The writer urged them to pray with a heart that identifies with the afflicted, not from a distance, but with genuine compassion. It urges us to pray intentionally, to allow the suffering of others to move us. This is the posture of an intercessor.

We also see intercession modelled in Abraham’s life. In Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham stood before God for Sodom.

Genesis 18:22-24,32-33
New King James Version
22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.

23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?

32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.”

33 So the LORD went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

This shows Abraham appealing to God concerning the city. He asked if God would spare the city for the sake of righteous people. Boldly and humbly, he asked again and again, reducing the number from fifty to ten.

Abraham’s prayer did not deny the wickedness of the city. Instead, he appealed to God’s justice. This does not mean Abraham controlled God, but Scripture makes it clear that God listened. Abraham’s intercession mattered, and it showed a picture of persistent, courageous prayer.

Moses also stood in the gap for Israel after the people turned to idol worship.
Exodus 32:30-32
New King James Version
30 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”

31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves.

32 But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!” 

Moses did not pretend the people had not sinned. He acknowledged the truth and then interceded. Scripture shows that his prayer mattered to God. Moses stepped into a priestly role: standing before God on behalf of the people. This is what intercession looks like: honesty before God, compassion for others, and faith that God listens.

Now more than ever, the call to intercession is loud. The hardships believers face has been experienced all through time. The New Testament overflows with such examples.
The New Testament shows us examples of believers in persecution.

Acts 12:1-5
New King James Version
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.

2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.

4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

Peter’s story was one of many that the early church faced. The scriptures tell us that Herod’s intention was specifically to harass the church, so understand that the trials we face today are not new. The world has and will always antagonize the church. But there is something we can do; we are not helpless.

As Peter was thrown in prison, constant prayers were offered! They continued to stand in the gap for him. They understood their responsibility despite their fear, and they stood as watchmen.
Watchmen do not look away. They pay attention. They stay discerning. They refuse silence. They pray until God’s purpose is accomplished.

This is what the Holy Spirit wants to awaken in you today, not fear, not heaviness, but a sense of responsibility! If the gospel will advance in this generation, it will not happen by chance. It will require intercession. If our communities will change, it will require prayer. If persecution will be pushed back, if families will be strengthened, if nations will open to the gospel, believers must rise!

The church cannot be laid back. We cannot be silent. We cannot fold our hands while darkness grows louder. We stand. We intercede. We take our place as priests.

Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a burden for nations, not out of fear but out of love. Pray for Nigeria. Pray for the country you are in. Pray for persecuted believers. Pray for your city. Pray for the lost. Pray for the church. Pray for the spread of the gospel.

Prayer Point
Lord, awaken in me the heart of a watchman. Teach me to stand in the gap for nations. Strengthen me to intercede for the persecuted and for the spread of the gospel. Give me a burden for my nation and for the nations of the earth. Make me faithful in this priestly call.