Read Ezra 9.
When Ezra arrived in Jerusalem, the spiritual challenges and needs of the people were worse than he could have imagined. But that is why God sent him there. The root issue was not racial but spiritual. Nationally, only the Jews worshiped the true and living God. Intermarrying with surrounding nations meant spiritual compromise as paganism would certainly be brought with the unbelieving marriage partners.
The response, not only by Ezra but "all who trembled at the words of God," was to sit in stunned silence and fasting for the rest of the day. Then, at evening, this spiritual leader broke the silence with his prayer of brokenness.
1. He confessed specific, historic, national sins.
Their sins had resulted in them losing the blessing of the land and their freedom. Even at this point, after 70 years of exile and captivity, they sinned even more. It was not "their" shame only. As a spiritual leader, Ezra owned the shame with them. Note his use of the words "our" and "we" in his prayer.
2. He acknowledged that despite the nation's disobedience, God was gracious to them, had never forsaken them, and had remained faithful in His love to them. God did this in order "to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God".
3. He made no requests of God.
In his devastation, for the moment, he could say no more. He left the next step to God and His mercy. "Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this."
Questions for us:
-Am I a person who trembles at the words of God?
-Do I see the problems in our nation as spiritually rooted?
-Do I feel the shame of the sin and evil of my nation?
-Do I fast and pray for God to revive my nation?
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