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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Lament and Confess your Vain Thoughts and Carnal Affections

Confession 2.4 | NIV

The vanity of my 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 my mind.

Every inclination of the thoughts of my heart is evil, only evil, and that all the time, Genesis 6:5(NIV) and it has been so from my childhood. Genesis 8:21(NIV)

O how long have I harbored wicked thoughts! Jeremiah 4:14(NIV) Those schemes of folly which are sin! Proverbs 24:9(NIV) From within, out of the heart, come evil thoughts; Matthew 15:19(NIV) which plot mischief on the bed, Micah 2:1(NIV) and carry the heart with the fool’s eyes to the ends of the earth. Proverbs 17:24(NIV)

But God is not in all my thoughts; Psalm 10:4(NIV) it is well if he is in any of them. I have deserted the Rock, who fathered me, and have forgotten the God who gave me birth: Deuteronomy 32:18(NIV) I have forgotten him days without number, Jeremiah 2:32(NIV) and my heart has followed worthless idols and become worthless itself. Jeremiah 2:5(NIV) My inward thought having been that my house will remain forever; Psalm 49:11(NIV) this my way is my folly. Psalm 49:13(NIV)

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

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

I have clung to worthless idols and forfeited the grace that could have been mine; Jonah 2:8(NIV) have forsaken the spring of living water, for cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Jeremiah 2:13(NIV)

I have panted after the dust of the ground, Amos 2:7(KJV) and have been full of care as to what I shall eat and what I shall drink and what I shall wear, the things which the pagans run after, and the righteousness thereof. Matthew 6:31-33(NIV)

I have lifted up my soul to idols, Psalm 24:4(NIV) and set my eyes on what is nothing; have fixed my eyes on what is seen, which is temporary, but the things that are eternal have been forgotten and postponed. 2 Corinthians 4:18(NIV)

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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 my soul to what is false, Psalm 24:4(ESV) and set my 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)