Ezra had returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon under strict instructions from its king, Artaxerxes. He was to establish the Temple and teach God’s ways once more to the Israelites (Ezra 7). Discovering disobedience, Ezra humbled himself and prayed on behalf of those who faced God’s judgment (Ezra 9). This illustrates how we can take responsibility to stand and pray before God on behalf of those whose actions deny God’s truth (intercession).