Ezra’s Prayer

(This week’s BDC is written by Edgar Vergara, the Duke student at MRMC this year)

FOCUS TEXT

Ezra 9:5-8

At the evening sacrifice I got up from my fasting, with my garments and my mantle torn, and fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the Lord my God, and said, “O my God, I am too ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors to this day we have been deep in guilt, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been handed over to the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as is now the case. But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the Lord our God, who has left us a remnant, and given us a stake in his holy place, in order that he may brighten our eyes and grant us a little sustenance in our slavery.

DAILY BYTE

This week we will focus on the theme of prayer. We will reflect on five prayers found throughout the Bible which are not commonly used, but that hold wonderful lessons for us learn. Today’s prayer is the prayer of Ezra. In this passage we find Ezra at the end of a time of fasting and grief due to the difficult situation facing the people of Israel. Ezra tells us that after his time of fasting he fell on his knees and spread his palms in prayer before the Lord. Ezra surrendered himself to God in prayer. It is clear that Ezra prayed earnestly and passionately. Ezra sincerely prayed for God’s forgiveness and restoration over the people of Israel.

It is interesting to note that Ezra begins his prayer in the first person singular voice but quickly turns to the first person plural voice. This tells us that Ezra was acknowledging the sin of all his people, not just those who were present with him at the time, but the sin of all his ancestors. In his prayer Ezra assumed the historic and collective sin of his people, recognized it before God and asked for forgiveness. Another important thing to note is that Ezra named the consequences of sin among his people and also pointed to the hope that arose from receiving God’s favor.

We are often overwhelmed by the brokenness of our world. We become frustrated with the injustice and pain around us. We become frustrated with the corrupt systems of power that are so prevalent in our society. We are frustrated by the state of our nations, cities, and neighborhoods. We are frustrated by the way things are. We wish things were different, that things would change, and understandably so.

Today I invite you to reflect on the example of prayer that Ezra gives us. We must realize that the broken state that our world is in is the direct consequence of sin. It is the consequence of collective sin that has taken place generation after generation. We must understand that the current state of our nations, cities, and neighborhoods is the consequence of sin. And more importantly, we must always remember that our God profoundly loves this world. God’s love for this world is a testament of God’s favor and a source of hope for all peoples. God loves this world so much that God gave his only son to bring salvation to it. You and I are called to be agents of this saving love.

Perhaps it is time that you and I pray in the same way that Ezra prayed. Perhaps we need to pray for God’s forgiveness and repent before God for the collective and historic sin that has corrupted our world. Like Ezra, we must assume our share in the sin that has corrupted our land. Let us be bold and ask God in prayer to use us as instruments of God’s healing and restoration for this world. Of course this is not an easy task. It is a task that is vast and that requires a sincere and constant effort. Where could we possibly begin? Following Ezra’s example, falling on our knees and praying earnestly for forgiveness and restoration to come to our land.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Father, we often feel frustrated because of the brokenness around us. The injustice and pain we find at the turn of every corner often overwhelms us. At times indifference overtakes us because of our impotence and helplessness. At times we guard ourselves and lead enclosed lives behind the walls of our homes and our churches and fail to share your love with those around us. We pray that you help us understand that the brokenness around us is the direct consequence of sin. We pray for your forgiveness, we assume our responsibility in the sin that has corrupted this world. We pray for your Holy Spirit to guide us and use us as instruments of your healing love. Through Jesus Christ we pray, amen.