Heavenly Father, thank You for the great prophetic Scriptures and their amazing, pin-point accuracy. Thank You that You have not left us in the dark, but have given us a clear understanding of Your plans and purposes in the Word of God. Give me a wise and understanding heart as I read Your Word - and help me to always have an answer for the hope that I have in You. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, thank You that Your plan to set up Christ on the holy hill of Zion, continues to move forward toward Your ultimate goal. Thank You for the example of Cyrus whom You used to fulfil Your prophetic Word and forward Your plan of salvation. Use me, I pray, as an instrument in the forwarding of Your redemptive plans, in whatever way You choose, and may I live to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the book of Ezra. I pray that my spirit may be ever open to do Your will. Keep my heart ready to obey Your Word and follow Your leading and guidance. Use me, I pray, to carry out Your will for my life. I lift up those in the Church who, like Zerubbabel and Ezra, have the responsibility of being leaders and elders. Move their hearts to listen to Your Word, carry out Your will, and encourage all their brothers and sisters in Christ during the difficult times we are all facing. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, thank You that the future has been written into Your Word and that by Your grace, we are enabled to see Your plans and purposes being carried out with astonishing precision in the lives of so many kings and nations, peoples, lands, and languages. I pray that You would continue to carry out Your plans and purposes so that at Your appointed time, Christ will return to set up His eternal kingdom, for Your greater praise and glory. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, yet again in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, I see how Your plans and purposes for the redemption of mankind, through the Lord Jesus Christ, were played out on the stage of history. Just as You brought Your people back to the land promised to their forefathers, there is nothing in heaven or earth that can undermine Your perfect will for any of Your people. Thank You for Your great faithfulness to both Israel and the Church. You turn evil to good and shine Your light of joy and hope into every night of mourning. Praise Your holy name! AMEN.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the book of Ezra and the important lessons that we can learn from its pages. I pray that the Church of today would review its dedication to You. May church elders, husbands, and fathers, set an example as mature men of God who rejoice in the Lord, are cheerful in their giving, and live holy lives unto You. May all Your people recognise the priorities we need to implement in our lives, by making You the centre of our lives and families. Keep me low at the Cross, and help me maintain a witness of prayer and praise in all I say and do. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, thank You that Ezra faithfully recorded the return of the Babylonian exiles to Israel, and the joy they discovered in honouring Your name and fulfilling Your will for their lives. I am eagerly awaiting that day when Jesus will return, in power and great glory, to set up His eternal kingdom and dwell with His people on earth. Thank You that the feasts and festivals given to Israel, paint such beautiful pictures of Your unfolding plan of redemption. I pray that I may worship You in spirit and truth, for Your greater glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the many lessons I can learn from the history of Israel, from both their failures when they doubted Your Word, to their successes when they trusted Your promises. Help me to grow in grace and mature in the faith, and keep me from allowing the circumstance of life to affect my faith in You. Thank You that You are always in control and that You are a faithful God Who keeps His promises. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning, and I pray that You would use me in the furtherance of the gospel for Your greater praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Dear Heavenly Father, I praise and thank You that You are a good and faithful God, Who keeps His promises to both Israel and the Church. Thank You for the example of the priests and people in Ezra's day, who laid the foundation of the Temple of God, and blew their trumpets and sounded their cymbals to praise and honour Your holy name. Thank You that in this dispensation of grace, I am a living stone in Your spiritual Temple. Thank You that I have the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead and guide in all things. I pray that I would never cease to honour Your name in thought, word, and deed, and to praise You day and night, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, thank You that I am part of the Body of Christ, and that we are being built into a spiritual Temple for Your greater glory. Keep me from falling prey to discouragement and fear, for I realise that they are counter-productive to a fruitful Christian life. I pray that I may rejoice with all the saints and worship before Your throne, knowing that the joy of the Lord strengthens the inner man and helps us to grow in grace and in a knowledge of Jesus. I pray that I may submit my life to you and be ready to resist the devil, whether he comes as an angel of light or a roaring lion, and I pray that I may finish the good work that You have prepared for me to do, for my eternal benefit and Your greater glory. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the exemplary life of Ezra and the way that he set his heart to know, study, and teach Your Word. Develop in me an increasing desire to study, practice, and share the truth of the glorious gospel of Christ from this day forward, and I pray that I may be used by You to turn the hearts of some who have strayed from the way of salvation, back to Yourself. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.