DAY 6: God Needs Our Prayers

Ezekiel turning people to God.

Even though God's existence and character are completely independent of any created thing (see Acts 17:24, 25) and God already has all resources in His hands (see Job 41:11; Psalm 50:10-12), God needs our prayers:

"And I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads," declares the Lord God (Ezekiel 22:30, 31).

The implications of these verses are staggering. God's holiness, integrity and uncompromising truth prevent Him from simply excusing sin. It must be judged. On the other hand, not only is He holy, but He is also love and His love always desires to redeem, to restore and to show mercy. Scripture tells us that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (see Ezekiel 33:11).


The passage is clearly saying, "While My justice demanded judgment, My love wanted forgiveness. Had I been able to find a human to ask Me to spare this people, I could have. It would have allowed Me to show mercy. Because I found no one, however, I had to destroy them."

Peter Wagner agrees with this when he says:
We must understand that our sovereign God has for His own reasons so designed this world that much of what is truly His will He makes contingent on the attitudes and actions of human beings. He allows humans to make decisions that can influence history....Human inaction does not nullify the atonement, but human inaction can make the atonement ineffective for lost people.

This truth could intimidate us with the responsibility it implies, or even condemn us because of our lack of prayer. But another possibility exists as well. A responsibility can also be a privilege; a responsibility can be enjoyable. If allowed, this revelation can elevate us in our hearts to new positions of dignity alongside our heavenly Father and Lord Jesus. Jack Hayford said, "Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in hand with God toward the realization of His redemptive purposes on earth."
 
Let's rise to the occasion and embrace the incredible invitation to be co-laborers with God...to be carriers of His awesome Holy Spirit and ambassadors for His great kingdom. Let's represent Him!

Awaken us to our destiny, Lord!

Shalom,

Rev. Obadiah Swen

Pastor, Bethel World Outreach Church - Virginia