Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/96

Contributor - Jim Moerman

Title - Introducing The Regional Synod of Canada Prayer Network

Topic - Songs For The Bride

It was a letter from Chuck - Chuck Van Engen, that is, Professor of World Missions at Fuller Seminary and newly-elected Vice President of the General Synod Council, the highest governing body of the RCA. He wrote to say that he was feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of leadership and desperate for prayer-support. Could I commit myself to intercede for him-and the RCA-twice a week for thirty minutes each time? And could I find others who would intercede for him too?

Intercession is a word with Latin roots: inter (meaning between) and cedere (meaning to go). Literally then, intercession means to go between. More precisely, it is the act of pleading by one who in God's sight has a right to do so in order to obtain mercy for one in need.

Chuck is in need. And it is my right (and privilege) as a child of God in Christ to intercede for him, pleading for special grace, special effectiveness, and special power to be given to this man of God in the execution of his duties.

You know the story of Esther, don't you? (If you recite it in your sleep, feel free to drop down a couple of paragraphs!) Four centuries before Christ, the King of Persia was a man named Ahasuerus/Xerxes (Hebrew and Greek translations). This King falls in love with a beautiful Jewess named Esther and makes her queen without knowing she is a Jew. Meanwhile, an important official in the Persian Court named Haman becomes infuriated when Esther's uncle Mordecai refuses to bow down to him. Haman discovers that Mordecai is a Jew and plots a holocaust to annihilate him and all the Jews in the provinces of Persia. Mordecai, however, gets wind of the plot and asks Esther to intervene with King Ahasuerus/Xerxes on behalf of her people.

Esther risked her life by appearing before the King without invitation to tell him of Haman's wicked intentions. The King responded favorably, executed Haman, and saved the Jewish people.

This true story is also a powerful analogy concerning the practice of intercession. King Ahasuerus/ Xerxes was omnipotent (in his kingdom, as least). Politically speaking, he represents God. Haman the tyrant represents Satan who comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Esther is the intercessor, the one who "stands in the gap" on behalf of others. (Even Mordecai fits the analogy, taking the role of the Holy Spirit in communicating the will of God to Esther the Intercessor!)

Today's intercessors can fulfill a role similar to Esther. Appearing before the Omnipotent One, robed in Christ, appealing on behalf of peoples, places, and situations in desperate need.

My friend in Christ, for whom are you pleading today? Does a day, a week, a month, a year go without you 'standing in the gap' for someone? There is no doubt that great blessings are released - toward specific situations when intercessors appear before the Lord and plead for mercies! Disasters are avoided. Victories given. Alternatively, the power of sin and Satan can prevail when there is no one found to pray.

The discouraging summary statement of Ezekiel 22 need. not be true of us: "I looked for a man/woman among them who would build up the wall and stand i before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none' (verse 30).

SOLDIERS IN THE GAP: The Regional Synod of Canada PRAYER NETWORK

Has God placed a burden on your heart to intercede on behalf of others? Would you use this gift to intercede for the Regional Synod of Canada and the RCA? Beautiful!

Soldiers In The Gap is an intercessor's guide to the ministry of the Regional Synod of Canada. If you would like to be a Soldier In The Gap on behalf of The Reformed Church and receive this publication for the purposes of intercession, please call, write (or e-mail!):

Regional Synod of Canada

RR#l, Cambridge, Ontario

NlR 5S5

PH: (519) 622-1777 / FAX: (519) 622-1993

e-mail: RSCMoerman@aol.com

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