Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Ezra

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The Book of Ezra, a historical account found in the Old Testament, provides a profound narrative of God's faithfulness in responding to the prayers of His people. Ezra, a scribe and priest, played a pivotal role in the restoration of Jerusalem and the spiritual renewal of the Jewish people following their exile in Babylon. His life and leadership exemplify the power of prayer and God's readiness to answer those who seek Him earnestly.

Ezra's Prayer for Guidance and Protection

One of the most significant instances of answered prayer in the Book of Ezra occurs when Ezra leads a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. Before embarking on this perilous journey, Ezra proclaims a fast and seeks God's protection. In Ezra 8:21-23 , it is recorded:

"Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our children, and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the road, because we had told the king, 'The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.' So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request."

Ezra's decision to rely solely on God's protection, rather than seeking military assistance from the Persian king, demonstrates his deep faith and trust in God's providence. The successful and safe journey of the exiles back to Jerusalem is a testament to God's answer to their prayers.

Ezra's Prayer of Confession and Intercession

Another profound moment of prayer in the Book of Ezra is his prayer of confession and intercession on behalf of the people of Israel. Upon learning that the Israelites, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with pagan nations, Ezra is deeply grieved. In Ezra 9:5-6 , he expresses his anguish:

"At the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God, and prayed: 'O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.'"

Ezra's heartfelt prayer continues as he acknowledges the sins of the people and pleads for God's mercy. His prayer is marked by humility, repentance, and a deep sense of responsibility for the spiritual state of the nation. In response to Ezra's intercession, the people are moved to repentance, leading to a covenant renewal and the purging of foreign influences from their midst.

The Role of Prayer in the Rebuilding of the Temple

The rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, a central theme in the Book of Ezra, is also closely tied to prayer. The initial efforts to rebuild the temple faced significant opposition from surrounding peoples. However, through persistent prayer and reliance on God's promises, the work continued. In Ezra 6:14 , it is noted:

"So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia."

The completion of the temple, despite numerous challenges, underscores the importance of prayerful dependence on God and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises.

Conclusion

The Book of Ezra provides rich examples of how prayer is integral to the life of faith. Through Ezra's leadership, we see that prayer is not only a means of seeking divine intervention but also a way to align oneself with God's will and purposes. The answered prayers in Ezra's narrative serve as a powerful reminder of God's readiness to respond to those who earnestly seek Him with humility and faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 8:21-23
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Christian Prayer
... 24-31), Moses (Numbers 11:2), Samuel (1 Samuel 12:18), Elijah (1 Kings 18:37-46),
Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:2-6), Ezra (9:5 ... What can be said of answers to prayer? ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study vii the christian prayer.htm

Bear up the Hands that Hang Down, by Faith and Prayer...
... pray, and hear no voice, but stay till God answers. ... as she was, in answer to the
prayer of Zacharias. ... Ezra's praying carried the Spirit of God in heartbreaking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ix bear up the.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... executed, was it by Moses, by Ezra, by Daniel ... gods, and cried in vain for the answers
that could ... Their favoured dispensation of prayer was forgotten; they knew ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... conscious, too, that he must have it in order to appear before God (Ezra 9:15 ... world
over, can and do testify to the fact that God both hears and answers prayer. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

A Reformer's Schooling
... to the prayer of Thy servant, and to the prayer of Thy ... cooled, as we see from the
reforms which Ezra had to ... Eager questions brought out sorrowful answers. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a reformers schooling.htm

Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician Woman
... God does not make us good by a device - and that is a very wrong view of trials,
or of delayed answers to prayer, which men sometimes take. ... [3488] Ezra 9:1. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxiii jesus and the.htm

Names and External Form of the Old Testament
... This term answers to the word Pentateuch, that is, the ... Vatican manuscript, which
omits the apocryphal Prayer of Manasseh: ... 15.1 Esdras.16.2 Esdras (our Ezra).17 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiii names and external.htm

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
... the attentive reader of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah ... practice at the time to offer
prayer on entering a ... road, we suppose, the question and answers passed, of ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 16 synagogues their origin.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... of Samuel and David, of Jehosaphat, Ezra, Nehemiah, and ... It, in some measure, answers
some of the ends ... with your observing solemn times of fasting and prayer. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... Ezekiel, Hellenist poet, i.36. Ezra, return under i.8; activity of, 9, 10, 12. ... answers
the Baptist's disciples as to prayer and fasting, 662-665; ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/index i of subjects.htm