Matthew Henry’s “Method For Prayer”

Bewail your Many Actual Transgressions, Especially your Pride

Confession 2.7 | ESV

We must likewise bewail our many actual transgressions, in thought, word, and deed.

I have sinned, Father, against heaven and before you: Luke 15:18(ESV) All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23(ESV) for the God in whose hand is my breath and whose are all my ways, I have not honored. Daniel 5:23(ESV)

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; Psalm 51:4(ESV) neither have I obeyed the voice of the LORD my God by walking in his laws, which he has set before me, Daniel 9:10(ESV) though they are holy and righteous and good. Romans 7:12(ESV)

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Psalm 19:12(ESV)

In many things I stumble, James 3:2(ESV) and my iniquities are more than the hairs of my head. Psalm 40:12(ESV)

As a well keeps its water fresh, so my heart keeps fresh its evil; Jeremiah 6:7(ESV) and this has been my way from my youth up, that I have not obeyed your voice. Jeremiah 22:21(ESV)

Out of the evil treasure of my heart, I have brought forth much evil. Matthew 12:35(ESV)

We must confess and bewail the workings of pride in us.

I have every reason to be humbled for the pride of my heart; 2 Chronicles 32:26(ESV) for I have thought of myself more highly than I ought to think and have not thought with sober judgment, Romans 12:3(ESV) nor have I walked humbly with my God. Micah 6:8(ESV)

I have leaned on my own understanding, Proverbs 3:5(ESV) and trusted in my own mind, Proverbs 28:26(ESV) and have sacrificed to my own net. Habakkuk 1:16(ESV)

I have sought my own glory more than the glory of him who sent me, John 7:18(ESV) and have been arrogant concerning that for which I should have mourned. 1 Corinthians 5:2(ESV)

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