Habakkuk, a prophet in the time directly before the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, interceded for his people. Reading his description of the desperate times so reminds us of today!
“How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, 
“Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.”Habakkuk 1:2-4
Habakkuk’s desperate prayers and intercession was a dialog with God. Look how HaShem answered:
“Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”Habakkuk 1:5
Habakkuk stood strong and prepared to wait for answers to his intercession.
“I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me…” Habakkuk 2:1
The prophet Isaiah gave us the perfect example for prayer:
“For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12b
We must come before HaShem bearing the sins and transgressions of others, asking for The Holy One of Israel to intervene. When we see injustice, violence and wrong we are called to fall to our knees in prayer, to intercede and declare, “Purge the evil, O God!” Come, pray, stand in your station to await God’s answer.
