The Secret Power Behind the Childbirth Professional

Part Four

By Todd Schuchmann

“Fill the Gap!!!”

It is the autumn of 1987 and the chilly breeze of an Iowa fall blows across the lined football field. Filling the stands are anxious townspeople chanting, “DEFENSE – DEFENSE – DEFENSE.” As a defensive linebacker my sole purpose is to defend and protect the goal and keep the opposing team from scoring. The opposing team lines up, the quarterback steps up to the line of scrimmage and the count begins. As the defensive line shuffles to adjust to the offense’s positions, the coach yells to me, “Fill the gap!!! Fill the gap!!!” The ball is snapped; the quarterback drops back and hands the ball off to the tail back who comes barreling toward the hole in the defensive line. I alone stand between the runner and the end zone. I run toward the gap in the line, lower my shoulder and plunge my body into the runner. With a crash of helmet and pads we both tumble to the earth. The line held, the gap was filled, the goal protected. But there is no time to rest, for the opposing team is lining up again.

It is now the autumn of 2007 and, once again, I am on the line. My focus this time, however, is not to protect an end zone, but to protect my precious wife. The enemy has lined up and is on the offensive. I and a band of brothers have decided to protect our wives and families at all cost. We will once again stand in the gap, link arms, and let no one through. We will tackle all problems, stresses, and issues that would attempt to disrupt the welfare of our wives and families. It is time to fight again, no time for rest. It is time for prayer, time for war.

Men, every day we stand between our wives and the forces of hell that would try to destroy them. The burden of responsibility for their protection and welfare falls on our shoulders. It cannot and should not be delegated to anyone. It is to us the Lord has entrusted His daughters and we are to show ourselves worthy of such a great gift by protecting them at all cost.

Don’t be fooled into thinking YOU alone can successfully accomplish this task! We cannot effectively protect our wives in our own strength! Because this task is impossible on our own, we are not alone! First, we have the Lord Jesus and He ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25). Second, we have the Holy Spirit who intercedes with groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26). Third, we have brothers in Christ who play on the same team and have our backs, encouraging us to keep up the good fight of faith. Fourth, we personally have the power of intercession.

In this series of articles we have been addressing the secret power behind the childbirth professional. This month the focus is PRAYER, specifically intercession. There are many kinds of prayer. Ephesians 6:18 states in the NKJV, “…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Another translation says to pray with “all kinds” of prayer. There is the prayer of faith (Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:24), the prayer of consecration (Luke 22;42), the prayer of commitment (1st Peter 5:7), the prayer of worship (Acts 13:1-4; Luke 24:52,53), the prayer of agreement (Matt. 18:18-20), prayer in the Spirit (1Cor. 14:14-15), united prayer (Acts 4:23-31), and intercessory prayer (the topic of this article).

According to Funk & Wagnall’s Bible Dictionary, to intercede is to “meet someone for the sake of another”. In other words, it means to stand in the gap. An example of this in scripture is found in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus prays to Father God, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus is declaring to heaven and earth the desire of the Father; for His Kingdom to be full and complete in the earth as it is already is in heaven. In heaven everything is perfect. As we all know, that is not the case here on the earth. Right now, Jesus is standing in the gap between a perfect heaven and an imperfect earth so that God’s will and Kingdom would come to into existence on the earth as it is in heaven. He is interceding. Likewise, men, this is our role in our families. We stand between them and heaven and declare the promises of God over them so God’s kingdom and influence will come into their lives. We are filling the gap.

But what does this do for our wives? Anything the Bible says!!! Protection, healing, peace, inspiration, revelation, provision, strength, assistance, and joy are just a few of the promises that come to mind. As we declare these promises over our wives and beseech the Lord to manifest these things in their lives, the Kingdom of God begins to be seen on earth in the lives of our wives, and along with it all the benefits of the Kingdom.

As husbands of childbirth professionals, our prayers are needed to protect our wives in very specific ways. They need protection from blood-borne pathogens. They need strength and energy and safety on the road as they often drive after missing a night or two of sleep. They need discernment and divine guidance when caring for their clients. They need favor with other healthcare professionals…. And the list goes on. Our wives are standing in the gap and interceding for their clients; we are to stand in the gap and intercede for our wives.


Men, we have the privilege and the high calling to support our wives this way. Will you join with me in holding the line, filling the gaps, and protecting our wives? The book of James say it best and can be paraphrased, “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man releases much power.” We have the ability to release incredible amounts of power into the lives of our wives. With this power they will be able to serve their clients effectively without burning out or wearing out. Men, the job is ours. See you on the field!

Until next time...

Peace,

Todd