murder
Standing in the Gap
Albert Camus Sketched by Petr Vorel
“For centuries the death penalty, often accompanied by barbarous refinements, has been trying to hold crime in check; yet crime persists.” ALBERT CAMUS, Resistance, Rebellion and Death
Suzanne Basso executed on Texas Death Row 2-6-14 by Lethal Injection
Today Suzanne Basso became the 14th person to die on Texas Death Row. At 5 am, when I arouse for intercessory prayers on the Three Cord Prayer Line, she was remembered by me. I prayed for her salvation, I prayed that in her grief that she would call upon the name of Jesus. It is our duty to stand in the gap for those lost in darkness.
In Acts 26 v 18 Apostle Paul is giving an account of His assignment to King Agrippa. He says that it is Jesus Himself who has sent him to redeem the Gentiles. Paul was assigned to 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Likewise, I prayed for the eyes of Suzanne Basso to be opened this morning. I prayed that she’d turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, I cried out for her repentance and for her to receive forgiveness for her sins, so she would have the inheritance of those sanctified by faith and receive the promise of eternal life. It is our assignment as well; as believers, we are to know that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Jesus came for the ungodly and it is God’s desire that no one should perish but that all would come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Before the year 2014 began, the Lord commissioned me to stand in the gap for the women on death row. He told me to get my church’s women’s ministry to pray without ceasing, for the women on death row. The scripture He gave me was Acts 5 v 12 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him,” which became the name for this ministry “Praying Without Ceasing: A Prison Ministry for Women on Death Row”
In the bible, God was opposed to the sinfulness of the Israelites and was seeking to destroy them. In Psalms 106:23 He says, “Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.” We like Moses, are to stand in the gap for others, and the women on death row are no exception.
I am only an intercessor, and we know that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availed much but, the prisoners on death row need the army of God to stand in the gap for their salvation; any effective standing in the gap has to involve the church. When I received this mandate, I moved quickly to set up this ministry which involves scripture cards, but I hesitated to inform my Pastors because I was waiting to hear more directives from the Lord, but now with the execution of death row’s Suzanne Basso, it is confirmed that I need to quickly alert the church. As I gather up the names and addresses of the 59 women remaining on death row and as I gather stamps, envelopes and salvation cards. I intend to send His word. I will continue to stand in the gap and pray for the salvation of those who have done the most unspeakable crimes. Because, “when God finds no man to intercede, He will use His own arm to bring salvation to Him, And His righteousness to uphold Him.” (Isaiah 59:16)
Isaiah 6 verse 8 inspires me, it says” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”