For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to Yahweh. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover other than the way it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, "May the good Yahweh pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his fathers, even if they aren't clean according to the purification of the sanctuary." Yahweh listened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. 2 Chronicles 30:17–20 WEB.

The people had broken God's law concerning the Passover. They ate the Passover meal while they were ceremonially unclean, for they hadn't sanctified themselves as the law required. In the past, many had died for less.

Hezekiah prayed for them, and the Lord heard him and healed the people. In this scripture, the prayer of one man who was living right made the difference between life and death, between judgment or a pardon from God, for the people who were not.

In Ezekiel 22:30, God sought a man to stand in the gap so that He wouldn't have to destroy the land, but He found none. Abraham interceded with God for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord agreed to spare the city if ten righteous people were found because Abraham asked Him (Genesis 18:23). James said there are times that we have not because we do not ask (James 4:2).

Never cease to pray for the lost sheep, for though they may seem so far away from the Lord, nothing is impossible for God. Usually, those fighting against God the hardest are the fish already on His hook and struggling to escape. Like the Apostle Paul, they can suddenly come to Jesus and become the most zealous among us.

You may be the only one standing in the gap for that person. Your intercession may be the difference between their judgment or mercy. Your prayer today may be the one that God hears for them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please put those on my heart that I should pray for. Speak to me in a way that I understand, and give me the right words. Help me be a positive influence on those around me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Today is Thankful Thursday at the Ministry Events group! This event gives us an opportunity encourage each other by posting thoughts, moments, and prayers of gratitude for Him, His creation and all that He does in our lives. All our welcome! To join, just click on the group name and then the join link on the page that will follow. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.