Categories
Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Bewail your False Security, Fretfulness, and Impatience

Confession 2.9 | NIV

My security and unmindfulness of the changes I am liable to in this world.

I have put off the evil day, Amos 6:3(NIV) and feeling secure have said, “I will never be shaken,” Psalm 30:6(NIV) as if tomorrow will have to be like today, or even far better. Isaiah 56:12(NIV)

I have encouraged myself to take life easy; to eat, drink, and be merry, as if I had plenty of good things laid up for many years, when perhaps this very night my life will be demanded from me. Luke 12:19-20(NIV)

I have been ready to put my hope in wealth, rather than in God; 1 Timothy 6:17(NIV) to put my trust in gold, and say to pure gold, “You are my security.” Job 31:24(NIV)

My fretfulness and impatience and murmuring under my afflictions, my inordinate dejection and distrust of God and his providence.

When you have disciplined me, and I have been disciplined, I have been like an unruly calf; Jeremiah 31:18(NIV) and though my own folly has ruined my life, yet my heart has raged against the LORD; Proverbs 19:3(NIV) and thus, in my time of trouble I have become even more unfaithful to the LORD. 2 Chronicles 28:22(NIV)

I have either despised the LORD’s discipline or resented his rebuke; Proverbs 3:11(NIV) and if I falter in times of trouble, how small is my strength. Proverbs 24:10(NIV)

I have said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight!” Psalm 31:22(NIV) and, “The LORD has forsaken me, my God has forgotten me”; Isaiah 49:14(NIV) as if God would never show his favor again, Psalm 77:7(NIV) as if he had forgotten to be merciful and had in anger withheld his compassion.  This has been my infirmity. Psalm 77:9-10(NIV)

Categories
Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Bewail your Anger, Love of the World, and Love of the Flesh

Confession 2.8 | NIV

The breaking out of passion and rash anger.

I have lacked self-control and have therefore been like a city whose walls are broken down. Proverbs 25:28(NIV)

I have been quickly provoked, and anger has resided in my lap. Ecclesiastes 7:9(NIV) And when my spirit has been provoked, I have spoken rashly with my lips, Psalm 106:33(NIV) and have been guilty of that brawling and bitterness which I should have gotten rid of. Ephesians 4:31(NIV)

My covetousness and love of the world.

My life has not been free from the love of money, Hebrews 13:5(NIV) nor have I learned to be content, whatever the circumstances, with what I have. Philippians 4:11(NIV)

Who can say that he is clean from that love of money which is a root of all kinds of evil, 1 Timothy 6:10(NIV) that greed which is idolatry? Colossians 3:5(NIV)

I have sought great things for myself when you have said, “Seek them not.” Jeremiah 45:5(NIV)

My sensuality and flesh-pleasing.

I have set my mind on what the sinful nature desires more than on what the Spirit desires, Romans 8:5(NIV) and have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence, and have fattened myself as in a day of slaughter. James 5:5(NIV)

I have thought about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature, Romans 13:14(NIV) even those sinful desires which war against my soul; 1 Peter 2:11(NIV) and in many instances, I have acted as if I had been a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God. 2 Timothy 3:4(NIV)

When I was eating and drinking, was I not just feasting for myself? Zechariah 7:6(NIV)

Categories
Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Bewail your Many Actual Transgressions, Especially your Pride

Confession 2.7 | NIV

I must likewise bewail my many actual transgressions, in thought, word, and deed.

I have sinned, Father, against heaven and against you: Luke 15:18(NIV) All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23(NIV) for the God who holds in his hand my life and all my ways, I have not honored. Daniel 5:23(NIV)

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; Psalm 51:4(NIV) I have not obeyed the LORD my God or kept the laws he gave me, Daniel 9:10(NIV) though they are holy, righteous, and good. Romans 7:12(NIV)

Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Psalm 19:12(NIV)

I stumble in many ways, James 3:2(NIV) and my sins are more than the hairs of my head. Psalm 40:12(NIV)

As a well pours out its water, so does my heart pour out wickedness; Jeremiah 6:7(NIV) and this has been my way from my youth up: I have not obeyed you. Jeremiah 22:21(NIV)

Out of the evil stored up in me, I have brought forth many evil things. Matthew 12:35(NIV)

I must confess and bewail the workings of pride in me.

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

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

I have sought my own honor more than the honor of him who sent me, John 7:18(NIV) and have been proud of that for which I should have been filled with grief. 1 Corinthians 5:2(NIV)