Ezekiel was called by God to be a watchman, one who would warn the people that the time of judgment had come. Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed.
Throughout Scripture Babylon represents a culture dominated by selfishness, pride, idolatry and opposition to the things of God. Unfortunately, the spirit of Babylon had already infiltrated those living in Jerusalem, even the spiritual leaders. Ezekiel was living among the exiles in Babylon when God commissioned him to warn the people of the coming siege and to call the people to repentance. But few, if any, heeded the call.
There in Babylon Ezekiel saw visions of God. What a comfort to know that God can make His presence known – even in Babylon and places like it! Ezekiel could have adopted a “they’re finally getting what they deserve” kind of attitude, but instead his immediate response was to cry out to God – to intercede on behalf of the people!
In response to his prayer, God encouraged Ezekiel. Yes, the Lord would scatter the Jews among the nations, but He promised to bring them back to their land. God said, “I will…put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh…They will be my people, and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 11:19-20).
We must pray for prodigals, people who have walked away from God, that God will work in their hearts.
1. Pray for a New Direction, that God will bring them back (Ezekiel 36:24).
“The LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 1:3). Ask God to help those you care about – that they will reverse course and return to Him! Remember that the enemy will do everything in his power to hold onto that person; this is a spiritual battle. That is why it is so important that we don’t give up praying!
2. Pray for a New Standing.
The Lord says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols... Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:25, 28).
Sin, at first, appears very appealing, but afterwards it destroys those affected by it. Thankfully, God is able to cleanse the heart and free the soul from the impact of sin.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). So, when someone appears to be far from God, pray that God might draw that person to Himself, cleanse them, and grant them a new standing in Christ Jesus – that of being forgiven!
3. Pray for a New Nature
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Only God can take a heart of stone and transform it into a heart of flesh. That is why intercessory prayers for others are so important.
There is a wonderful correlation between prayer and people coming to faith. Ask God to help those you care about to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Pray that God will grant that person a new direction, a new standing and a new heart.
“I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32).