Prayer brings a nation to repentance

EZRA’S PRAYER FOR HIS NATION

By : Ng Wah Lok

Text : Ezra 9:1-9

Introduction.

The book of Ezra is set in the period where Israel was in captivity for many years because of their sin. God raised Ezra to return back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and restore worship in His house. In this lesson, we see how Ezra prayed for his nation.


1. WHY DID ISRAEL FALL TO CAPTIVITY ?

a) Corruption of all levels of society.

V1 – The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the land.

V2 Indeed the hand of the leaders and rulers have been foremost in this trespass.

In this passage, we see the 5 Levels of people who were corrupted.

1. Priests
2. Levites
3. People
4. Leaders
5. Rulers


b) Failure to separate themselves

V2 – so that the holy seed is intermingled with the peoples of the land.

Holiness means - separate

Lot is one of the best example of a Godly man who became corrupt because he intermingled with those in perversion. Lot enjoyed staying in Sodom even though it was sinful

Gen 19: 1 – Now the 2 angels came to Sodom, in the evening and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.

Gen 19:16 And while he lingered, the men (angels) took hold of his hand, …and they brought him out and set him outside the city.

Lot was so comfortable in Sodom, he did not want to leave. And his wife loved Sodom so much she could not resist looking back. . As a result of looking back, she turned into a pillar of salt.

Later from an incestuous relationship with his daughters, Lot produced an ungodly line called the Moabites and Ammonites. Gen 19:36-38.

Christians must separate themselves with the ways of the world. If we do not separate ourselves from the corrupt society, we will eventually become like them.


2. HOW DID EZRA PRAY FOR HIS NATION ?

a) He tore his garment and his robe – v3

Tearing of the garment speaks of mourning. We need to be very sorrowful for our sins.
Being sorrowful for our sins an important part of intercession.

My friends coming back from China often tell me that the Christians often weep when they pray. They are weeping for the thousands of lost years where China was totally closed to the Gospel. But God is now raising an army to bring millions lost souls in China back to His kingdom.

b) He prayed for hours - v4

V4 I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.

Ezra did not pray a 5 minute prayer. He labored for hours in God’s presence.


c) He kept a posture of humility v5

V5 – I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God.

Intercessors usually keep a posture of humility when they come to God’s presence.


d) He confesses his nation’s sin – v6

V6 “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads and our guilt has grown up to the heavens.

Intercessors must identify with the sins of the nation and confess them.

“We have sinned……..”

Other men of God like Daniel prayed similar prayers.

Daniel 9:5 – We have sinned….

Recently, I read of Christian leaders from United States visiting Vietnam to ask forgiveness for the Vietnam war. Approximately 3 million Vietnamese died in the war compared with 60000 American soldiers.

e) He thanks God for His Grace v 8,9

The are 4 R’s seen