Standing in the gap

I'm in an online Book study group that just started. We are reading a book about the importance of praying for people who don't yet understand the awesomeness of knowing the authentic Jesus.

I have squirmed some with this book because it seems to place more emphasis on human effort and righteousness than on God's grace and Jesus' work on the cross.

But that's a post for another time...

Theological issues aside, the book has gotten us thinking about the inarguable importance of "going to the mat" for lost loved ones.

I am all about praying even if I think it's hopeless - because with our God nothing is hopeless. But I never really thought about what power those prayers might very well have. And before now I have kind of glossed over a lot of prayers. I don't always take the time to pray meaningful prayers for my loved ones. I send up breath prayers or "bless them" prayers. Those are good. But there must be value in really pressing in on another's behalf.

Psalm 126:5 says:
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

I started thinking one night that we just don't know everything about how eternity works...How do we know that a man might not meet God somewhere between here and eternity for one last time? I'm not talking for the "judgement"...But even before that...

Could someone conceivably have an exchange such as this?:

Jesus: Hello, John.

John: Who are you?

Jesus: I am The Lord.

John: You're real??

Jesus: I am. This is the gate of Heaven. Would you like to come in?

John: But I never believed in you...I never turned to you. I'm not supposed to be allowed in.

Jesus: I know.

John: How can I get in?

Jesus: You didn't trust my work for you but my beloved daughter Carol vouched for you, stood in the gap for you and pleaded for you. So I am opening the gate to you if you'd like to enter and enjoy all that I have for you.

John: I can just come in?

Jesus: As always you are free to turn it down.

John: I'm so sorry for never believing and for missing out of knowing you before now...I do want to come in.

Could our prayers literally offer one last chance to someone before they spend eternity separated from the only source of life that exists in the universe?

What we loose on Earth will be loosed in Heaven??

Just a hypothetical. I don't even know if it's scriptural...But it sure sounds good! :)

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