Pray the Scriptures, June 17
Ezra 9-10
Sovereign Lord,
I pray today for every marriage in my family and extended family, in my neighborhood, in my church, in my city, and in this nation. Pour out your blessing on every union of husband and wife. Strengthen every good thing that binds them together; may every bond of affection, loyalty, friendship, companionship, communication, and intimacy vibrate with the energy of the Holy Spirit.
May every marriage be centered in you, and may every work of Satan be defeated in their marriages and families. Prompt those who are choosing marriage partners to marry only in the Lord, so that their hearts may not be drawn away from you and they may not disregard the command you have given them through your servants the prophets and apostles.
We confess the terrible sins of our nation regarding the family. We have been guilty of adultery, immorality, abuse, and divorce. We have subjected children to great pain through broken homes. We have been unfaithful to you; our sins are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens.
We are too ashamed and disgraced to lift up our faces to you. Because of our guilt, not one of us can stand in your presence. May we be appalled and tremble at your words; may we fall on our knees and weep and confess and mourn over the sin of our land.
With our hands spread out to you, we pray that you will be gracious to us and give us a firm place in your sanctuary. Give light to our eyes and relief from our bondage. Please do not desert us, but show us kindness and grant us new life and build for us a wall of protection.
We thank you that you punish us less than our sins deserve. We thank you that there is still hope in you. Raise up men of counsel who fear your commands to show us how to restore the family in our land. May we rise up and recognize that the matter is in our hands. Prompt us to take courage and do what needs to be done to protect marriage and the family, so that your fierce anger may be turned away from us.
In the name of Jesus, amen.