Nehemiah did not merely pray for the forgiveness of “their” sins. He, himself, “owned” the sins of the Israelites. In the
last episode I quoted Ezekiel 22:30, and I repeat it here. The Lord, “looked for someone among them who would …
stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” Once again, I
would suggest that leaders are called to “stand in the gap” in intercessory prayer.