Ezekiel 22:23 -31 The Plea for Prayer
30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
One thing alone could stem the tide of judgment—Prayer.
I. The Divine Sorrow - God was grieved.
The Land was Engrossed in Sin.
18 Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.
The Land was Enlightened by Salvation - God's care. - It knew Divine protection.
Deut. 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
The Land is Exposed to Censure - the judgment of God.
God could stand their sin no longer.
II. The Divine Search - "I sought for a man"
God wasn't seeking for an angel, for an orator, for a preacher, but for a pray-er.
A Focused man - one who could see his Sovereign
A Fearlesss man - one who would deal with sin.
The Man who would preach and pray for a sober nation must be an enemy of drink. The Man who would plead for an honest nation must be free from lies.
The Man who would pray for a spiritual nation must be a soul winner.
A Faithful man - one who would plead with God.
Despite the cost, the criticism, the inconvenience.
God wants a man who can stand between God and the land—
As Abram did for Lot. As Knox did for Scotland. As Brainard did for the Indians.
III. The Divine Sigh - "I have found none."
The Failure - but I found none.
It was not that nobody prayed, but that nobody prayed aright.
The Future - coming Judgment - "Therefore will I pour out my indignation"
The Finding - The Search Still Goes on - God is seeking a man who will PRAY.
