Ezra 8 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezra 8.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/ezr/8/1/s_411001

Meditate on verse 31b.

The hand of our God was over us,

and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy

 and the ambushes by the way.

Ezra led a group of Israelite exiles out of Babylon and back to Jerusalem. As they journeyed, Ezra discovered there were no ministers and teachers among the group to serve in the temple and to instruct the people in the things of the LORD. Thankfully the good hand of God was upon them, and He brought men of insight to minister to the people.

Before they journeyed another step, Ezra proclaimed a fast, so the people could humble themselves before God and ask Him for a safe journey. The LORD heard their prayers and put His hand over them, delivering them safely to Jerusalem.

This is another treasure chapter for prayerful watchmen. It continues the theme of God’s hand being upon those who seek Him. It affirms that God really does hear and answer prayers, and one should not take a step without seeking the LORD’s guidance and protection.

With these truths in mind, pray Ezra 8:18, 21-23, 28, and 31 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, according to Your good hand being upon us,

make _________ and me people of insight. 

We humbly come before You, God, to seek safety from You.

 As we seek You, let Your hand be favorably disposed to us.

 As we fast and seek You, please listen to our entreaties. 

Keep Your hand over us, and deliver us from the hand of the enemy

and any ambushes along the way.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezra 7 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezra 7.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/ezr/7/1/s_410001

Meditate on verses 9b–10.

The good hand of his God was upon him.

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law

 of the LORD and to practice it,

 and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Approximately 60 years passed between chapters six and seven of Ezra, and for the first time, Ezra’s name is mentioned. Observe him carefully, for he is a man to be emulated. Ezra was a priest and a scribe skilled in God’s Word, with the good hand of his God upon him (vs. 6, 9-12). Hand is a repeated word in this chapter. Three times, Ezra is described as having the hand of God on him, and twice he is described as having God’s Word in his hand (vs. 6, 9, 14, 25, 28). It is no coincidence that the hand of God touches this man of God, who holds onto His Word.

The last of the seven executive orders in the book of Ezra was decreed in this chapter, giving Ezra, the priest, permission to do everything according to the will of God, even allowing him to teach anyone who was ignorant of the laws of God (vs. 18, 25). Boldly ask the LORD to move the leadership of your country to grant the same favor to Christians (vs. 11-26).

This chapter is a treasure chest of verses to pray.  Here is a prayer to get you started using Ezra 7:6, 9-11, and 28.

“LORD, may _______ and I be skilled in the Word You have given.

Let Your good hand be upon us. 

Let us set our hearts to study Your Law and to practice it,

and to teach Your statutes and ordinances. 

Make us learned in the Words of Your commandments and statutes.

Strengthen us according to Your hand being upon us.

In Your name, LORD our God, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezra 6 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezra 6.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/ezr/6/1/s_409001

Meditate on verse 7.

Leave this work on the house of God alone;

 let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews

rebuild this house of God on its site.

King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2-4). King Artaxerxes issued a decree to stop rebuilding the temple (Ezra 4:21- 24). King Darius issued a decree for a search to be made for King Cyrus’ decree (v. 1). After finding it, Darius issued another decree for the builders of the temple to be left alone (vs. 6-10). King Darius then issued a third decree that any man hindering work on the temple, thus violating Darius’ second decree, be impaled on a timber taken from his own house, and his house “made a refuse heap” (v. 11).

Darius’ decrees changed Tattenai, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues from tattle-telling bullies into submissive pawns in the hand of Almighty God (Ezra 5:3, 6-17; 6:13). The Jewish people finished rebuilding the temple according to God’s command (v. 14).

Are you and your nation under executive decrees that hurt Christ’s church? Appeal to the King of kings and LORD of lords, Jesus Christ, who is in charge of kings and kingdoms. His enduring Kingdom will crush and put an end to all other kingdoms (Daniel 2:44).

Use the words from Ezra 6:7, 12, and 22 to appeal to the LORD of lords, as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).   

“LORD, issue the decree for work in Your church to be left alone.

God, You cause Your name to dwell in Your church.

Overthrow any king or people who attempts to destroy Your church.

LORD, cause us to rejoice.  Turn the hearts of leaders toward Christians

to encourage us in the work of Your house, God.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezra 5 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezra 5.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/ezr/5/1/s_408001

Meditate on verse 11a.

Thus they answered us, saying, “We are the servants of the

God of heaven and earth and are rebuilding the temple

that was built many years ago…”

Work on the temple stopped for 14 years because of King Artaxerxes’ executive order (Ezra 4:23-24). Then two preachers, Haggai and Zechariah, prophesied to the Jews and reminded them Who was in control. The God of Israel was over them, and He wanted His temple rebuilt (Ezra 5:1; Haggai 1:14).

The people took courage from the prophets’ messages and began rebuilding the house of God. Questioning authorities did not detract the Jews from their work; they pressed on, confidently obeying God’s commands rather than crumbling in fear under man’s decrees.

Be confident in the LORD and His Word. Be taught by pastors and teachers who know the Bible and refuse to crumble under the decrees of man that attempt to compromise and change the Word of God.

Pray Ezra 5:5, 8, and 11 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“God, keep Your eye on ________ and me. 

Help us do Your work with great care;

let it succeed in our hands.

God of heaven and earth, we are Your servants.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezra 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezra 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/ezr/4/1/s_407001

Meditate on verses 3b and 4.

“You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God…”

Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah,

and frightened them from building.

The Israelites were rebuilding the LORD’s temple, and their enemies did not like it. The builders faced bullying threats, frustrating legal actions, and even an executive order from the king, which was carried out by armed force (Ezra 4:4-5, 21-23). This discouraging and frightening situation happened more than 2,500 years ago, yet it sounds like a news article about attacks against Christ’s church today.

Be encouraged by God’s Word! Ever since sin entered the world, there have been people who try to discourage, frustrate, and threaten God’s people; however, “the people who know their God will display strength and take action” (Daniel 11:32).

The LORD declares, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper, and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me” (Isaiah 54:17).

Pray Ezra 4:3 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD God, help ________ and me not build 

Your church with people

who have nothing in common with us. 

Let us build together with people

who hold to Your Word as You command.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezra 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezra 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/ezr/3/1/s_406001

Meditate on verse 12.

Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households,

 the old men who had seen the first temple,

wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house

was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy.

What a relief to the Israelites when “the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD” (Ezra 3:10)!  The solid foundation gave the people hope that the LORD’s temple would be rebuilt. 

You live in an age when the foundation of Christ’s church is being attacked.  False teachers change God’s Word and ignore sound doctrine to justify fleshly desires.

Do not be deceived!  Build your life on the Rock solid foundation of Christ and His Word (Deuteronomy 32:4; Luke 6:47-48).

Here are a few truths from God’s Word to stand firm on:

The sum of Your Word is truth,

and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

—Psalm 119:160

Truth is according to Godliness, and God cannot lie.

—Titus 1:1-2

Pray Ezra 3:11 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, You are good, for Your lovingkindness

 is upon ________ and me forever.

May we shout with a great shout as we praise You

because You are the foundation of Your church.

In Your strong name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezra 2 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezra 2.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/ezr/2/1/s_405001

Meditate on verse 68.

Some of the heads of fathers’ household,

when they arrived at the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem,

offered willingly for the house of God to restore it on its foundation.

There were 42,360 people who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon (v. 64). When they saw the desolation of the temple, some of them offered “to restore it on its foundation” (v. 68).

Foundation is used six times in Ezra 2 and 3. It is the groundwork on which something stands. Jesus said, “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them ... is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built” (Luke 6:47-48).

The LORD wants to restore people and their desolate situations on the rock solid foundation of Himself and His Word. Without Christ, life has no foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). Pray for and share Jesus with those who need Him.

Use the words from Ezra 2:68 to pray over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, __________ needs to be restored with You as their foundation.

I offer myself willingly to help restore them.

Because You are the foundation, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell