When it comes to personal stories of salvation, a backdrop of intercession is significant to the process of transformation. To intercede means to stand in the gap for someone else. Salvation history is made when people prayerfully stand in the gap for someone they love. In that regard, one could say that to intercede is to love and to love is to intercede.

Growing up in the church and being raised in a strong Christian family does not always guarantee that a child will have faith. My childhood and early teen years were fairly sheltered, and I considered myself to be a Christian most of that time. However, during my late high school and early college years, I drifted away from my relationship with God and, as a result, began distancing myself from the church community. There was an entire year that I attended church just one time—that was to get married. I became a prodigal son of my home church. Many folks were worried about me, including my parents, pastors, and friends.

What I didn’t know at the time was that a group of four men in the church knew me and loved me enough to be concerned about my life. Their burden for me was so heavy that they committed to meet together at the church every Wednesday morning for the express purpose of “praying for David Busic’s salvation.” They didn’t spend those Wednesdays praying about world affairs, social reforms, church conflicts, or political divides. They prayed for me—exclusively and specifically—and for a long time.

It was one of the most miserable years of my life! I have discovered that Holy Spirit conviction is usually not intended for our happiness. But it was also one of the best years of my life because my heart was changed. It was only later, after a renewed consecration of my life to God and a return to the church, that I learned the four men had been earnestly praying for me. I’m so glad they did; I am indebted to their intercessory care.

Like the four friends who moved heaven and earth to bring a paralyzed man to Jesus—even removing a roof to do so!—these four friends stood in the gap for me. “When Jesus saw their faith,” the sick man’s sins were forgiven and his body was restored (Mark 2:5). One could say that is the definition of intercession.

Who has God laid on your heart to pray for their salvation? Will you stand in the gap for them?

David Busic is a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene.