#soap # Ezekiel 09 ## Title: How Do You Respond to Evil? ## Scripture: (Ezekiel 9:8) While they were striking them down, I was left alone, and I threw myself face down and cried out, “Ah, Sovereign Lord! Will you destroy the entire remnant of Israel when you pour out your fury on Jerusalem?” (NET) ## Observation: What is your first response to evil? Ezekiel’s first response was to talk to the only One who can do anything about it. He pleaded with the Lord. There are times when we need to act, but the first thing we need to do is pray. When we pray for someone else, this is called intercession. When we are interceding for others, we are praying for the Lord to move in their lives. Ezekiel is praying for God’s mercy. The first thing we should do when we see injustice is to pray. We should pray as though the injustice is happening to us. Then, once we have prayed, we ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom so we know our next steps. Sometimes we can act. Sometimes we can inform others so they can act. Always, we can pray. ## Application: Are you responding to evil by praying? ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for always giving us the weapon of prayer. This is truly the first and best thing we can do.