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Ezra |
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| Chapter 1 | Prayer | Devotional | Chapter 6 | Prayer | Devotional | |
| Chapter 2 | Prayer | Devotional | Chapter 7 | Prayer | Devotional | |
| Chapter 3 | Prayer | Devotional | Chapter 8 | Prayer | Devotional | |
| Chapter 4 | Prayer | Devotional | Chapter 9 | Prayer | Devotional | |
| Chapter 5 | Prayer | Devotional | Chapter 10 | Prayer | Devotional |
Father God, You fulfilled Your Word that You gave to Your people through the prophets. You kept a remnant from among them during the years of exile, and restored them to the land of Judah. But You have done much more than this in the redemption that has come to us through the gift of Your Son. You are building Your church throughout the world. Your promises are entirely reliable. The matters of Your greatest interest should be our focus as well. We are so easily distracted by our own smaller thoughts and fascinations. Help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness day by day. We trust You with all things, great and small.
Lord God, You know Your people. You sent many out of the land in the day of discipline. You brought them back according to Your prophetic Word. Thank You for Your particular care for Your people today. You know our names, but Your knowledge is much more extensive than that. You know our heritage. You know our extended families and the towns we came from. While this is true of all Your creatures, it is especially the case for Your chosen people. The particular care that You have shown for the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is undeniable. Your actions of love and discipline for the people of the Old Covenant are recorded in the Scriptures. But there is a vast multitude of chosen men, women, and children who have become Israelites indeed through faith in Jesus Christ. In Him we have a safe place within the worship assembly of Your people. We are even part of the priesthood of all believers who shall serve You forever in a better land than Canaan. Blessed be Your Name, O God.
O Lord of Hosts, we have a job to do, for You are using us to build a temple. Your Son has promised to build His church, yet He grants to men a part that we are to play in His great work. We certainly cannot do this holy work unless You lead us, and supply what is necessary. You have perfect plans for Your eternal temple on high. You have given Your Son as the Cornerstone of this greatest of all houses. Your apostles are the one foundation set in perfect order according to that one precious Stone laid in Zion. What a marvelous truth! We have a place in Your church, for we are living stones set upon a sure apostolic foundation given to us in Your Word.
Our Father, the work of building Your kingdom goes forward in an environment that includes demonic enemies. There are subtle attacks of weariness and discouragement that come over us like waves of trouble. Help us to contemplate Your nature and Your work. Help us to meditate upon Your great promises, for we should not lose heart. We have been warned by Your Son that we will face trouble. Our King was despised by men. Why are we surprised when men lie about us, and seek our destruction? See how Your adversaries try to use civil authorities to bring trouble upon Your church. We suffer strange setbacks for a season, though You are sovereign in Your power, and bountiful in Your love. O the mysteries of Your providence! It is all too much for us to understand. Grant us faith when the facts that are against us seem insurmountable.
O God of Grace and Glory, thank You for the encouragement of Your Word that comes through Your prophets. You are above all human authorities. There is no place that is closed to You. There is no good work that men will be able to stop if You say that it must proceed. Grant us diligence and wisdom. How can we keep on going with such opposition from enemies seen and unseen? Above all we seek Your leading and power. We need discernment to distinguish between useless projects that You have not commanded, and works of mercy, justice, and truth that You will surely bless. Grant us wisdom, that we would spend our lives on those things most pleasing to You.
Lord God, You are surely above all rulers. You will work out Your holy will. No adversary who sets himself against You will finally win. You make even the wrath of Your enemies to praise You. Providences that seemed an insurmountable hindrance turn out to be just what was necessary for Your work to be done with the greatest blessing and fruitfulness. Help us to trust You even in the day of great disappointment and confusion, and grant us eyes to see Your vindication in the day of Your power. We long for the completion of the building up of Your heavenly temple as You bring people to Yourself and turn us away from sin. We thank You for the one great offering of Your Son for us. We give ourselves entirely to You for Your good purposes. We separate ourselves from the unclean lusts of the world, and we dedicate ourselves again this day to the building of Your holy city.
Father, we shall not give up in our mission when You give us strength for the moment before us. You have prepared us for this work of prayer and service. You have trained us, and have placed around us others who provide much help. You place Your hand upon Your ministers, and they are granted a heart to study Your Scriptures and to teach Your people. You provide the financial resources for Your Word to be taught and known. You bring to our minds the facts of our redemption by the sacrifice of Your Son, and we are suddenly helped by Your great power. Even the presence of enemies all around us can become the very thing that is necessary for Your good work to go forward. Grant us wisdom from Your Word, so that the greatest glory will come to Your holy Name. Fill the hearts of many men and women with godly impulses according to Your great plan.
Great God and King, there is no power that will stand against You, for You will accomplish all Your holy purposes. There are many people that You have called into Your church throughout the world. Some are gathered together with a few others in modest surroundings. Others are attached to much larger assemblies. All of us are a part of one body. Grant us ministers, men of discretion, who will serve You by lovingly and truthfully presenting Your Word to Your children. Surely Your hand is open to us for our good, for we seek You. You will protect us from those who hate You. We have been given much aid for our needs and for the progress of Your work. Help us to be wise in Your service, for we have been trusted with gifts more precious than silver and gold. We have been blessed with the care of bodies and souls, and with the task of loving Your children and leading them in the ways of life.
Glorious God, we feel the danger of the world all around us. There is so much false thinking and idolatrous worship everywhere. Even some of Your leaders have been quickly overtaken by temptation. We pray that You would hear our cry for help as we humble ourselves before You. We have been walking without sense in the midst of great sin and danger. We should know the truth by now. We cannot travel along the way of death in order to find life. How could we be so foolish! So many are enslaved by sin in what should be a day of great opportunity and hope. We have work to do. It is so close to us, and yet our hands will not move. It is right there for us to take and to do, but we are turned away by entangling distraction and iniquities. Would we test You by despising Your commandments again? See our weakness and hear us as we appeal to You for strength.
Great God, when all the noise of our lives is silenced by trial and disappointment, we are brought to remember why You have placed us on this earth. We have been distracted from the work of Your kingdom by obligations that we have foolishly chosen. We have joined ourselves to projects that are not consistent with our faith and our calling. Give us wisdom to know what must be done, so that we will follow in Your ways. What will we do in the day when we discover that we have greatly transgressed Your Law? Give us the clarity of Your truth not only to see our sin, but to see the way out that You have provided. Grant us then the courage to follow You. Bless us with unusual clarity, so that we will not again be enticed into cares and responsibilities that would lead us away from Your perfect purposes for Your people. Help us to take responsibility for our mistakes, and to repent as those who know You and remember Your Word. Bring blessing upon us again, for we have rediscovered the road that leads to fruitful service in Your kingdom. May we never forget the lessons that You have taught us at such a significant cost to ourselves, our families, and Your church.