How “Standing in the Gap” changed my Life!

By Marxianne Bacus Quijano-Aviles

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezek. 22:30

As the pandemic surged in 2020, times were becoming more and more difficult for me and many others. I saw many suffering from depression on all sides. I’d only been an Adventist for 5 years at the time, and I longed for someone who could teach me more about God’s Word and about prayer. I also longed to have a prayer partner and an opportunity to share hope and encouragement with those around me. After a member of our Filipino community in Thailand committed suicide, I was determined to do something. And so, I began to pray, “Lord, please show me how to help lift the burdens of those who are struggling so that they will know they are not alone in this pandemic and crisis. Also send me someone to pray with so that I will not feel so alone. I need someone to lift me up in prayer when I’m tired and weary.”

God answered that prayer not long after by sending someone for me to pray with me. They were even from my own church. As we began to spend more and more time praying together, I was impressed to purchase a Zoom premium account so my prayer partner and I could talk and pray more. To be honest though, I was a little fearful about the cost, and the idea seemed like taking such a big leap of faith. However, God woke me up in the middle of the night, not long after, with the strong impression that I should go ahead and do it. The next day I purchased the Zoom premium account.

From then on, my prayer partner and I started inviting other friends to join our prayer time on Zoom. As more people joined to pray, people started sharing their testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Our small group of 2-3 people daily praying and worshiping together soon expanded to 10-15 and then grew to 30-40 people. Instead of me feeling alone, or praying alone, God had brought many people together to pray and encourage one another. It was such a blessing!

Soon the Zoom account turned into an official prayer group for Thailand called the “Thailand Prayer Call,” and of course, I no longer had to cover the premium expense. More and more people joined. More friends, church members, and even church leaders from around the world, including our General Conference president, came on our Thailand Prayer Call to pray with us or share testimonies. Then our prayer call merged with that of 24/7 United Prayer, as one of several countries around the world who were already joining together in prayer. The opportunity to be part of this expanding praying family of believers from around the world was above and beyond my highest expectations and dreams! God was and is so good.

Today, I testify of God’s sustaining grace for how He has led all of us, including the 24/7 United Prayer ministry. This marks our third anniversary of praying together in official partnership with the United in Prayer ministry for the worldwide church.

Growing up, I wasn’t part of an Adventist family, and I never really knew what real prayer looked like. When I did pray, it was always for my own self and my own needs and wants. I never had a burden for others. But now God has given me such a burden for the world and for souls around me. Soaking myself in united prayer has changed me and continues to change me. Acting as an intercessor for others, I’ve been blessed to see firsthand how God works. I’m a medical professional, trained as a nurse, but I no longer work in the medical field, trying to save lives. Now I get to work as a full-time missionary in this prayer ministry, trying to help save souls. What an honor to get to lift the burdens of those around me.

Yes, it was a big leap of faith to walk away from my income and trust God to provide for my needs. Much more so than purchasing a premium Zoom account. But God has been so faithful! On top of all the blessings, I have the wonderful privilege of hearing daily testimonies of how God is providing for the needs of my large and extended praying family. He is true to His Word as He says in Ephesians 3:20. He truly does do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to His power that works in us. Starting a prayer group and then eventually joining 24/7 United Prayer has been the biggest decision and turning point in my life.

Are you lonely? Are you wondering if your life has purpose? Why not ask God to help you find a prayer partner? Why not begin a ministry of intercession in your own home or your own church and see how God leads? If you are already an active intercessor, why not encourage others to join you in actively interceding for others?

Find someone to pray with, make a prayer list, and grow together spiritually. Better yet, help transform the world by standing in the gap with fellow believers around the world for your country, your home, or your worldwide church. More prayer intercessors are needed!

I’d love to invite you, as we conclude the official 10 Days of Prayer, to continue to pray with the 24/7 United Prayer family. We are always praying for more intercessors to help stand in the gap in this growing prayer movement. We are also praying to see many more prayer calls and prayer missionaries raised up. Remember, spending time at the feet of Jesus is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do! I know. I tried it, and it has changed my life!

Marxianne Bacus Quijano-Aviles writes from Thailand, where she works as one of the prayer facilitators and coordinators for 24/7 United Prayer. 24/7 United Prayer operates in partnership with the General Conference United in Prayer initiative and works as a supporting part of the Revival and Reformation prayer ministries for the world church. For ways to get involved or support the ever-expanding prayer ministry, please visit www.247unitedprayer.org.

Intercessors needed! Would you like to stand in the gap, and join a world wide prayer family, click here!

World Church Prayer Requests

January 20 - 26, 2023

• Pray for yourself and fellow believers just completing the 10 Days of Prayer, that we all will continue to seek to go back to the altar daily, to have unrushed time with Jesus in His Word and in prayer.
• Pray that those who joined 10 Days of Prayer will continue to pray together as a church family, start their own prayer circles, or join a worldwide prayer movement like 24/7 United Prayer.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on the leaders of your church, both locally and globally as we move forward into 2023.
• Pray especially for your local pastors, elders, and ministry leaders. Pray for their families, as those on the front lines are under heavy spiritual attack.
• Pray for the children and youth of your church to learn what it means to have a daily “altar experience” with Jesus, in worship, in the Word and in prayer.

Download this week's testimony and prayer requests by clicking here!