God Hears Earnest Prayer
The first six chapters chronicle the ministry of Zerubbabel in rebuilding the temple; now c7-10 introduces a priest named Ezra whom God uses to rebuild the spiritual condition of the people. The people have a house for God but not a heart of God. Ezra realises revival must begin a national return to the statutes of God as contained in the Mosaic law.
Lord, we’ll Seek thru Fast & Prayer: By the Ahava Canal, I (Ezra) gave orders for all of us to Fast & humble ourselves before our God to Seek from Him the Right Way for us. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers… to protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king: Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship Him… So we Fasted and earnestly Prayed that our God would take care of us, and He heard our prayer (Ezra 8:21-23).
Lord, we note Ezra and the people
Humbled themselves by Fasting
and Praying. Fasting humbled
the people because going without
food was a reminder of their
complete dependence on God.
It also frees up time to think about
God and to pray to Him earnestly.
And serious prayer puts us in touch
with God’s will for our lives and can
change our hearts & minds. Lord,
Grant us grace to fast & pray. Amen
Lord, we know the need to fast to
focus attention & dependence on U.
It shows Your presence & direction
are more important than food; and
our priorities to hear Your voice.
We purpose to forsake the physical
need for food for a season in order
to heighten our spiritual senses.
Amplify Your voice at fasting time,
hear our cries and lead us in the
right way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord of mercy, help me to fast and
pray whenever the need arises.
Show me how often & how long
and give me the strength to get
through each fast successfully.
With every fast, help me to pray
about the issues of my situation
and the direction I have to take.
For I need to deny my flesh so that
I can hear from You clearly and
exalt You above all else. Amen.