daily reading 39.3 (Ezra 8:21–23)

5-days-a-week through Daniel and other late OT books in 2023


Our opening prayer for this week:

Forgive our sins, as we forgive,
You taught us, Lord, to pray;
But you alone can grant us grace
To live the words we say.

How can your pardon reach and bless
The unforgiving heart
That broods on wrongs and will not let
Old bitterness depart?

In blazing light your cross reveals
The truth we dimly knew:
How trifling others’ debts to us;
How great our debt to you!

Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls
And bid resentment cease;
Then, by your mercy reconciled,
Our lives will spread your peace. Amen.

 

Ezra 8:21–23

  • I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us, our dependents, and all our possessions.
  • 22 I did this because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, "The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his fierce anger is against all who abandon him."
  • 23 So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and he was receptive to our prayer.
Helpful notes on Ezra 8:21–23 

 



For yourself pray:

  • That for Jesus' sake you pray more fervently

For others pray:

  • That God gives a seeking heart to your church's pastor(s) and elders

A psalm to listen to and ponder, as time allows:

 


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