Category: ESV First Person

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Lament and Confess the Corruption of your Entire Being

Confession 2.5 | ESV

The corruption of the whole man: Irregular appetites towards those things that are pleasing to sense, and inordinate passions against those things that are displeasing, and an alienation of the mind from the principles, powers, and pleasures of the spiritual and divine life.

I am born of the flesh, and I am flesh. John 3:6(ESV) Dust I am: Genesis 3:19(ESV) I have borne the image of the man of dust; 1 Corinthians 15:49(ESV) and in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells nothing good. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out; for I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Romans 7:18-19(ESV)

I have a law in my members my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members; Romans 7:23(ESV) so that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand, Romans 7:21(ESV) and clings to us so closely. Hebrews 12:1(ESV)

The whole head is sick, the whole heart is faint; from the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in me, but bruises and sores and raw wounds. Isaiah 1:5-6(ESV)

There is in me a bent to turn away from the living God: Hosea 11:7(ESV) My heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand them? Jeremiah 17:9(ESV) They start aside like a treacherous bow. Hosea 7:16(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Lament and Confess your Vain Thoughts and Carnal Affections

Confession 2.4 | ESV

The vanity of our thoughts, their neglect of those things which they ought to be conversant with and dwelling upon those things that are unworthy of them and tend to corrupt our minds.

Every intention of the thoughts of my heart is evil, only evil, and that continually, Genesis 6:5(ESV) and it has been so from my youth. Genesis 8:21(ESV)

O how long have those wicked thoughts lodged within us! Jeremiah 4:14(ESV) Like the devising of folly, those thoughts are sin. Proverbs 24:9(ESV) From within, out of the heart, come evil thoughts, Matthew 15:19(ESV) which devise evil on the bed, Micah 2:1(ESV) and carry the heart with the fool’s eyes to the ends of the earth. Proverbs 17:24(ESV)

But God is not in all my thoughts; Psalm 10:4(ESV) it is well if he is in any of them. Of the Rock that bore me, I have been unmindful and have forgotten the God who gave us birth: Deuteronomy 32:18(ESV) I have forgotten him days without number, Jeremiah 2:32(ESV) and our hearts have gone after worthlessness and become worthless. Jeremiah 2:5(ESV) My inward thought having been that my houses should continue forever; this, my way, is the path of those who have foolish confidence. Psalm 49:11-13(ESV)


The carnality of our affections, their being placed upon wrong objects and carried beyond due bounds.

I have set my mind on things beneath, which should have been set on things above, where my treasure is, Matthew 6:21(ESV) where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; Colossians 3:1-2(ESV) these are the things which we should seek.

I have paid regard to vain idols and forsaken our hope of steadfast love; Jonah 2:8(ESV) have forsaken the fountain of living waters, for cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13(ESV)

I have trampled the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, Amos 2:7(ESV) and have been anxious concerning what I shall eat and what I shall drink and what I shall wear, the things after which the Gentiles seek. Matthew 6:31-33(ESV)

I have lifted up our souls to what is false, Psalm 24:4(ESV) and set our eyes on that which is nothing; have looked at the things that are seen, which are temporal, but the things that are eternal have been forgotten and postponed. 2 Corinthians 4:18(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Lament your Disposition to Evil and Confess your Blind Understanding and Stubborn Will

Confession 2.3 | ESV

We must lament our present corrupt dispositions to that which is evil, and our aversion to and impotency in that which is good. We must look into our own hearts and confess with holy blushing:

The blindness of our understandings and their unaptness to admit the rays of the divine light.

By nature my understanding is darkened, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in me, due to the hardness of my heart. Ephesians 4:18(ESV)

The things of the Spirit of God are folly to the natural person; neither can I understand them, in and of myself, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14(ESV)

I am ‘wise’ – in doing evil! But how to do good I know not. Jeremiah 4:22(ESV) I have neither knowledge nor understanding, I walk about in darkness. Psalm 82:5(ESV)

God speaks in one way, and in two, though I do not perceive it; Job 33:14(ESV) I indeed hear but never understand; Matthew 13:14(ESV) and I see men, but they look like trees, walking. Mark 8:24(ESV)

The stubbornness of our wills and their unaptness to submit to the rules of the divine law.

I have within me a mind that is set on the flesh, which is hostile to God and does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Romans 8:7(ESV)

Were you to write for me your laws by the ten thousands, they would be regarded by me as a strange thing; Hosea 8:12(ESV) and my corrupt heart has been sometimes ready to say, “What is the Almighty, that I should serve him?” Job 21:15(ESV) And, “I will do everything that I have vowed.” Jeremiah 44:17(ESV) For I have walked in the ways of my own heart and in the sight of my eyes, Ecclesiastes 11:9(ESV) carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind. Ephesians 2:3(ESV)

My neck has been an iron sinew, Isaiah 48:4(ESV) and I have made my heart diamond-hard; I have refused to pay attention, have turned a stubborn shoulder, Zechariah 7:11-12(ESV) and stopped my ears like the deaf adder that will not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter. Psalm 58:4-5(ESV)

How I have hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. Proverbs 5:12-13(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Confess and Bewail your Original Corruption

Confession 2.2 | ESV

We must therefore confess and bewail our original corruption in the first place: that we are the children of apostate and rebellious parents, and the nature of man is depraved and has wretchedly degenerated from its primitive purity and rectitude, and such is our nature.

Lord, you made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes; Ecclesiastes 7:29(ESV) and being in honor, they did not understand, and therefore did not remain, but became like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49:20(ESV)

Through one man sin came into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned: Romans 5:12(ESV) By that one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, including me. Romans 5:19(ESV)

I am the offspring of evildoers; Isaiah 1:4(ESV) my father was an Amorite and my mother a Hittite; Ezekiel 16:3(ESV) and I myself was called (and not miscalled) a rebel from before birth, and you knew I would deal treacherously. Isaiah 48:8(ESV)

The nature of man was planted a choice and noble vine, wholly of pure seed, but it has turned degenerate and become a wild vine, Jeremiah 2:21(ESV) producing the grapes of Sodom and the clusters of Gomorrah. Deuteronomy 32:32(ESV) How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! Lamentations 4:1(ESV)

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5(ESV) For, who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. Job 14:4(ESV) I am by nature a child of wrath, because a child of disobedience, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:2-3(ESV)

All flesh has corrupted their way; Genesis 6:12(ESV) we have all turned aside; together we have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. Psalm 14:3(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Take Hold of the God-Given Encouragement you Have to Confess Sin

Confession 2.1 | ESV

We must take hold of the great encouragement God has given us to humble ourselves before him with sorrow and shame, and to confess our sins.

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared; Psalm 130:3-4(ESV) with you there is steadfast love; yes, with my God there is plentiful redemption, and he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Psalm 130:7-8(ESV)

Your sacrifices, O God, are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise; Psalm 51:17(ESV) indeed, though you are the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; Isaiah 57:15(ESV) though heaven is your throne and the earth your footstool, yet this is the one to whom you will look: he who is poor and humble, broken and contrite in spirit, and trembles at your word; Isaiah 66:1-2(ESV) to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15(ESV)

You have graciously assured me that those who conceal their transgressions will not prosper, yet those who confess and forsake them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13(ESV) And when a poor penitent said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” you forgave the iniquity of his sin; therefore, let everyone who is godly, in like manner, offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found. Psalm 32:5-6(ESV)

I know that if I say I have no sin, I deceive myself, and the truth is not in me; but you have said that if I confess my sins, you are faithful and just to forgive me my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Introduction and Acknowledgement of the Need for Lowliness before God

Confession 2.0 | ESV

Of the Second Part of Prayer, which is Confession of Sin, Complaints Regarding Ourselves, and Humble Professions of Repentance
Having ascribed glory to God, which is his due, Psalm 29:2(ESV) we must next take shame to ourselves, which is our due, and humble ourselves before him in the sense of our own sinfulness and vileness; and herein also we must give glory to him, Joshua 7:19(ESV) as our Judge, by whom we deserve to be condemned, and yet hope, through Christ, to be acquitted and absolved.

In this part of our work,

We must acknowledge the great reason we have to lie very low before God and to be ashamed of ourselves when we come into his presence and to be afraid of his wrath, having made ourselves both odious to his holiness and obnoxious to his justice.

O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for my iniquities have risen higher than my head, and my guilt has mounted up to the heavens. Ezra 9:6(ESV)

To me belongs open shame, because I have sinned against you. Daniel 9:8(ESV)

Behold I am of small account, what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth, Job 40:4(ESV) and put my mouth in the dust, for there may yet be hope, Lamentations 3:29(ESV) crying with the convicted leper under the law, “Unclean, unclean.” Leviticus 13:45(ESV)

You put no trust in your holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in your sight. How much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks injustice like water! Job 15:15-16(ESV)

When my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts, I have reason to cry out, “Woe is me, for I am lost!” Isaiah 6:5(ESV)

Dominion and fear are with you; you make peace in your high heaven: Is there any number to your armies? Upon whom does your light not arise? How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure? Job 25:2-4(ESV)

But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? Psalm 76:7(ESV) You, my God, are a consuming fire; Hebrews 12:29(ESV) and who considers the power of your anger? Psalm 90:11(ESV)

If I claimed to be in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; if I said, “I am blameless,” you would prove me perverse; Job 9:20(ESV) for if you contend with me, I could not answer you once in a thousand times. Job 9:3(ESV)

If I was not aware of anything against myself, yet I am not thereby acquitted, for he who judges me is the Lord, 1 Corinthians 4:4(ESV) who is greater than my heart and knows everything. 1 John 3:20(ESV) But I myself know that I have sinned, Father, against heaven and before you, and am no longer worthy to be called your child. Luke 15:21(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Rely on Jesus Alone for Acceptance with God

Adoration 1.20 | ESV

We must profess our entire reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ alone for acceptance with God and come in his name.

I do not present my plea before you because of my righteousness, Daniel 9:18(ESV) for I am before you in my guilt, Ezra 9:15(ESV) and cannot stand before you because of it; Psalm 130:3(ESV) but I make mention of Christ’s righteousness, even of his only, who is the LORD our righteousness, Jeremiah 23:6(ESV) and therefore the LORD my righteousness.

I know that even spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to God only through Christ Jesus, 1 Peter 2:5(ESV) nor can I hope to receive anything but what I ask of you in his name; John 16:23(ESV) and therefore, bless me in the Beloved, Ephesians 1:6(ESV) that other angel who put much incense to the prayers of the saints and offers them up on the golden altar before the throne. Revelation 8:3(ESV)

I come in the name of the great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, who is able to sympathize with my weaknesses, Hebrews 4:14-15(ESV) and is therefore able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25(ESV)

Behold, O God, my shield, and look on the face of your Anointed, Psalm 84:9(ESV) in whom you have by a voice from heaven declared yourself to be well pleased; Lord, be well pleased with me in him. Matthew 3:17(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Beg for the Spirit’s Assistance in Prayer and Aim for God’s Glory

Adoration 1.19 | ESV

We must beg for the powerful assistance and influence of the blessed Spirit of grace in our prayers.

Lord, I do not know what to pray for as I ought, but let your Spirit help me in my weakness and intercede for me. Romans 8:26(ESV)

O pour upon me a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, Zechariah 12:10(ESV) the Spirit of adoption teaching me to cry, “Abba, Father”; Romans 8:15(ESV) that I may find in my heart to pray this prayer: Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me, let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling; to God, my exceeding joy. Psalm 43:3-4(ESV)

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. Psalm 51:15(ESV)

We must make the glory of God our highest end in all our prayers.

This is what you, O LORD, have said: that you will be sanctified among those who are near you, and before all the people you will be glorified. Leviticus 10:3(ESV) I therefore worship before you, O Lord, that I may glorify your name; Psalm 86:9(ESV) and therefore I call upon you, that you may deliver me, and I may glorify you. Psalm 50:15(ESV)

For from you and through you and to you are all things. Romans 11:36(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Entreat God’s Favorable Acceptance

Adoration 1.18 | ESV

We must entreat God’s favorable acceptance of us and our poor performances.

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?” But this I say, “O LORD, lift up the light of your face upon me, and that shall put joy in my heart, more than they have when their grain and wine abound.” Psalm 4:6-7(ESV)

I entreat your favor with all my heart, Psalm 119:58(ESV) for in this I labor, that whether I am at home or away, I may please the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:9(ESV)

Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my pleas for mercy; in your faithfulness answer me, Psalm 143:1(ESV) and be near to me whenever I call upon you; Deuteronomy 4:7(ESV) for you have never said to the offspring of Jacob, “Seek me in vain.” Isaiah 45:19(ESV)

You who hear the young ravens that cry, Psalm 147:9(ESV) be not deaf to me, lest if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Psalm 28:1(ESV)

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands be acceptable in your sight as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Profess your Believing Hope and Confidence in God

Adoration 1.17 | ESV

We must likewise profess our believing hope and confidence in God and his all-sufficiency, in his power, providence, and promise.

In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; Psalm 31:1(ESV) indeed, let none who wait for you be put to shame. Psalm 25:3(ESV)

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation: He only is my rock and my salvation! Psalm 62:1-2(ESV) In him is my glory, my might, and my refuge; and my hope is from him. Psalm 62:5-7(ESV)

When no refuge remains to me, and no one cares for my soul, I cry to you, O LORD, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Psalm 142:4-5(ESV)

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but I trust in the name of the LORD my God. Psalm 20:7(ESV) I will trust in your steadfast love, O God, forever and ever, and will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly. Psalm 52:8-9(ESV)

I have hoped in your word; Psalm 119:81(ESV) O remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. Psalm 119:49(ESV)