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Christian Standard Bible Chapter 9

an impure land. The

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible Ezra’s Prayer of Repentance (9:3–15)

Ezra did not depend on Israel’s status as the covenantal people, but on the mercy of God.

Oh Lord, what a joy it is to be together in Christ. We come and pray to You upon Your throne, encircled with the rainbow of promise and with Your blood-bought children assembled to worship You and sing Your great praises this morning!

Lord we give thanks to You, as Your holy ones upon the earth all the way up to the angels that sing round Your throne, this sight from heaven to earth and from earth to heaven we all seek to sing praise and reflect Your great glory as we worship!

Oh Father, this morning we absolutely confess our great need of our precious Jesus!

an impure land. The

Ambrose said, “Christ now took the place of sinners, and God the Father shut him out (as it were) amongst the sinners; he drew his mercy out of sight, and out of hearing, and therefore he cried out in a kind of wonderment, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ ” This sorrow fulfilled “the mutual compact and agreement betwixt God and Christ,” Ambrose wrote. “God the Father imposeth, by charging the sins of his elect upon Jesus Christ, ‘The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all, .’ … He bare them as a porter that bears the burden for another which himself is not able to stand under; he bare them by undergoing the punishment which was due for them.”

We need Him because at times we’re full of sin, our souls grow dark at times. Lord we confess our coldness and deadness to the things of God! And so we plead, the sinners perfect plea, the precious blood of Jesus! We praise You for His cleansing fountain!

Lord, Your pilgrims, who need the love of Jesus, have gathered here today to worship You and exalt You with their lives! Lord, by Your Spirit’s power, cheer their souls in the way, guide their doubting footsteps, oh Lord, be their stronghold and stay! Yes Lord, please give strength to the weary, sooth the sorrowful, uphold those battling weary precious Lord!

Lord we pray for any here today that are lost in their sins, oh Lord we pray that today, they might yield unto You, that Your all powerful grace might bring them into the fold! In mercy, subdue those rebel hearts as You did subdue ours! Grant to them the glorious sight of Christ crucified for their sins and cause them to hate the sin that they once loved! Set them free dear Lord!

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible Ezra’s Prayer of Repentance (9:3–15)

Literally, “a protective wall,” as about a vineyard, used figuratively of the protection God had given those who had returned.

Literally, “a protective wall,” as about a vineyard, used figuratively of the protection God had given those who had returned

Lord, here we are as part of the body of Christ, prepare our hearts, hands, strings, and voices, and our breath all to adore You, our Lord. We’ve come to praise You, the God of our salvation and to testify that our sins shall not prevail for You have defeated every one and given the victory to all Your children! We come to You comforted that no promise of Your shall fall, oh let us magnify and proclaim Your Name and Your power!

Literally, “a protective wall,” as about a vineyard, used figuratively of the protection God had given those who had returned.

Literally, “a protective wall,” as about a vineyard, used figuratively of the protection God had given those who had returned.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” () "Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. "Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.” ()

When praying, we must wrestle with Satan and with our sinful nature. We wrestle with Satan who tries to block us from spiritual life or, if we have received it, to hinder our spiritual growth. Satan continually strives to find the most effective ways to keep us from prayer. Our sinful nature is Satan’s ally. It is filled with enmity against God. By nature, we try to be gods to ourselves—to handle our lives in our own way.

Because enemies lurk without and within, you should not be surprised when you find it difficult to pray. Our bodies, minds, and hearts naturally oppose it. That is why we are called to wrestle in prayer. Wrestling involves combat, strategy, focus, and determination.

Listen to , "Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say: Arise, Lord! Let your enemies be scattered, and those who hate you flee from your presence.”

This is like the silver trumpet, by the sound of it, it would sound the alarm in heaven and call in God to our help!

The saint’s enemies will not fall till God is raises Himself up and God waits to be raised up by prayer!

"God arises. His enemies scatter, and those who hate him flee from his presence. "As smoke is blown away, so you blow them away. As wax melts before the fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God.” ()

"Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.” ()

We’re to pray, “in the Spirit”. We’re not confined to “Jerusalem” or “this mountain” but should always be “in the Spirit” in the sphere of the Spirit.

Which means, with His help and in harmony with His will, as revealed in the Word which He breathed out!