Ezra Intercedes for Israel

• In Ezra 9:5-15, the prophet Ezra interceded for Israel because the people have fallen into idolatry and intermarried with other races in violation of God’s commands. Ezra asked God to forgive Israel and spare the people's lives. His prayer included such fervor and remorse that many of the inhabitants repented and vowed to renew their pledge of faith. They divorced their foreign wives and offered a sin offering. God honored their repentance and did not send them back into captivity for many years. Students learn that intercessory prayer may move an errant people to return to righteous living.
  
  

Asaph Prays for Israel

• The psalmist Asaph intercedes for the Israelites in Psalm 80. Asaph knows that God is angry with them, for they have retreated into sin through the hardness of their hearts. The enemies of Israel rose up against them and made their life miserable. The Abingdon Bible Commentary says that Asaph may have written this psalm during one of the periods of exile into captivity. Asaph reminds God that God delivered the Israelites from Egypt and pleads for him to do it again. God remains faithful to his covenant with the Israelites and restores them to Israel when they repent. The lesson reminds Christians that God honors his covenant, but they may suffer the consequences of their behavior.
  
  

Jesus Intercedes for His Followers

• As Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prays for his disciples who are sleeping and for future believers not yet born. Jesus expresses his belief that he has taught the disciples all he can. He prays that God will keep them safe during the time following his capture and crucifixion and after he returns to God. He also prays for believers who will come to faith because of the witness of the disciples. The lesson reminds believers that Jesus intercedes for them today. He desires that the believer see God through his example and that of his followers. It also reminds believers to take care with their actions, for nonbelievers judge God by their behavior.
  
  

Paul Asks for Prayer

• At the end of Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians, he reminds the believers to pray at all times with all kinds of prayers. He asks them to intercede for all believers and for himself. Paul serves God in a Roman prison because of his faith. He continues to tell others about Jesus and wants to do so freely and boldly. The lesson reminds believers to pray for their spiritual leaders and for boldness in witnessing.