A Method for Prayer  | Section 2 |  Confession 

2.0 | Introduction and Acknowledgement of the Need for Lowliness before God

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SECTION 2 | Confession | 2.0 | Introduction and Acknowledgement of the Need for Lowliness before God

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.

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O our God, we are ashamed and blush to lift our faces to you, our God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our head, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. Ezra 9:6(ESV)

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

Behold we are of small account, what shall we answer you? We lay our hand on our mouth, Job 40:4(ESV) and put our 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, man who drinks injustice like water! Job 15:15-16(ESV)

When our eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts, we have reason to cry out, “Woe to us, for we are 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, our God, are a consuming fire; Hebrews 12:29(ESV) and who considers the power of your anger? Psalm 90:11(ESV)

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

If we were not aware of anything against ourselves, yet we are not thereby acquitted, for he who judges us is the Lord, 1 Corinthians 4:4(ESV) who is greater than our hearts and knows everything. 1 John 3:20(ESV) But we ourselves know that we have sinned, Father, against heaven and before you, and are no longer worthy to be called your children. Luke 15:21(ESV)

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)

O our God! we are ashamed and blush to lift up our faces before thee, our God, for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up into the heavens. Ezra 9:6(KJV)

To us belong shame and confusion of face, because we have sinned against thee. Daniel 9:8(KJV)

Behold we are vile, what shall we answer thee? We will lay our hand upon our mouth, Job 40:4(KJV) and put our mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope, Lamentations 3:29(KJV) crying with the convicted leper under the law, Unclean, unclean. Leviticus 13:45(KJV)

Thou puttest no trust in thy saints, and the heavens are not clean in thy sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, who drinketh iniquity like water? Job 15:15-16(KJV)

When our eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts, we have reason to cry out, Woe unto us, for we are undone. Isaiah 6:5(KJV)

Dominion and fear are with thee, thou makest peace in thy high places: There is not any number of thine armies, and upon whom doth not thy light arise? How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Job 25:2-4(KJV)

Thou, even thou art to be feared, and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? Psalm 76:7(KJV) Even thou, our God, art a consuming fire; Hebrews 12:29(KJV) and who knows the power of thine anger? Psalm 90:11(KJV)

If we justify ourselves, our own mouth shall condemn us; if we say we are perfect, that also shall prove us perverse; Job 9:20(KJV) for if thou contend with us, we are not able to answer thee for one of a thousand. Job 9:3(KJV)

If we knew nothing by ourselves, yet were we not thereby justified, for he that judgeth us is the Lord, 1 Corinthians 4:4(KJV) who is greater than our hearts and knows all things. 1 John 3:20(KJV) But we ourselves know that we have sinned, Father, against heaven and before thee, and are no more worthy to be called thy children. Luke 15:21(KJV)

O my God! I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face before thee, my God, for my iniquities are increased over my head, and my trespass is grown up into the heavens. Ezra 9:6(KJV)

To me belongs shame and confusion of face, because I have sinned against thee. Daniel 9:8(KJV)

Behold I am vile, what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth, Job 40:4(KJV) and put my mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope, Lamentations 3:29(KJV) crying with the convicted leper under the law, Unclean, unclean. Leviticus 13:45(KJV)

Thou puttest no trust in thy saints, and the heavens are not clean in thy sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, who drinketh iniquity like water? Job 15:15-16(KJV)

When my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts, I have reason to cry out, Woe unto me, for I am undone. Isaiah 6:5(KJV)

Dominion and fear are with thee, thou makest peace in thy high places: There is not any number of thine armies, and upon whom doth not thy light arise? How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Job 25:2-4(KJV)

Thou, even thou art to be feared, and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? Psalm 76:7(KJV) Even thou, my God, art a consuming fire; Hebrews 12:29(KJV) and who knows the power of thine anger? Psalm 90:11(KJV)

If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me; if I say I am perfect, that also shall prove me perverse; Job 9:20(KJV) for if thou contend with me, I am not able to answer thee for one of a thousand. Job 9:3(KJV)

If I knew nothing by myself, yet am I not thereby justified, for he that judgeth me is the Lord, 1 Corinthians 4:4(KJV) who is greater than my heart and knows all things. 1 John 3:20(KJV) But I myself know that I have sinned, Father, against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy child. Luke 15:21(KJV)

O our God, we are ashamed and embarrassed to lift up our faces to You, our God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. Ezra 9:6(NASB)

Open shame belongs to us, because we have sinned against You. Daniel 9:8(NASB)

Behold we are insignificant; what can we reply to You? We will lay our hand on our mouth, Job 40:4(NASB) and put our mouth in the dust, perhaps there is hope, Lamentations 3:29(NASB) crying with the convicted leper under the law, “Unclean! Unclean!” Leviticus 13:45(NASB)

You put no trust in Your holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in Your sight; how much less one who is detestable and corrupt: man, who drinks iniquity like water! Job 15:15-16(NASB)

When our eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts, we have reason to cry out, “Woe to us, for we are ruined!” Isaiah 6:5(NASB)

Dominion and awe belong to You who establishes peace in Your heights: There is not any number of Your troops, and upon whom does Your light not rise? How then can a man be just with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of woman? Job 25:2-4(NASB)

You, even You, are to be feared; and who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry? Psalm 76:7(NASB) Even You, our God, are a consuming fire; Hebrews 12:29(NASB) and who understands the power of Your anger? Psalm 90:11(NASB)

Though we were righteous, our own mouth would condemn us; if we said, “We are guiltless,” you would declare us guilty; Job 9:20(NASB) for if You dispute with us, we could not answer You once in a thousand times. Job 9:3(NASB)

If we are conscious of nothing against ourselves, yet we are not by this acquitted, for the one who examines us is the Lord, 1 Corinthians 4:4(NASB) who is greater than our hearts and knows all things. 1 John 3:20(NASB) But we ourselves know that we have sinned, Father, against heaven and in Your sight, and are no longer worthy to be called Your children. Luke 15:21(NASB)

O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for my iniquities have risen above my head and my guilt has grown even to the heavens. Ezra 9:6(NASB)

Open shame belongs to me, because I have sinned against You. Daniel 9:8(NASB)

Behold I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I will lay my hand on my mouth, Job 40:4(NASB) and put my mouth in the dust, perhaps there is hope, Lamentations 3:29(NASB) crying with the convicted leper under the law, “Unclean! Unclean!” Leviticus 13:45(NASB)

You put no trust in Your holy ones, and the heavens are not pure in Your sight; how much less one who is detestable and corrupt: man, who drinks iniquity like water! Job 15:15-16(NASB)

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

Dominion and awe belong to You who establishes peace in Your heights: There is not any number of Your troops, and upon whom does Your light not rise? How then can a man be just with God? Or how can he be clean who is born of woman? Job 25:2-4(NASB)

You, even You, are to be feared; and who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry? Psalm 76:7(NASB) Even You, my God, are a consuming fire; Hebrews 12:29(NASB) and who understands the power of Your anger? Psalm 90:11(NASB)

Though I was righteous, my own mouth would condemn me; if I said, “I am guiltless,” You would declare me guilty; Job 9:20(NASB) for if You dispute with me, I could not answer You once in a thousand times. Job 9:3(NASB)

If I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted, for the one who examines me is the Lord, 1 Corinthians 4:4(NASB) who is greater than my heart and knows all things. 1 John 3:20(NASB) But I myself know that I have sinned, Father, against heaven and in Your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called Your child. Luke 15:21(NASB)

O our God! We are too ashamed and disgraced to lift up our faces to you, our God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. Ezra 9:6(NIV)

We are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. Daniel 9:8(NIV)

We are unworthy – how can we reply to you? We put our hand over our mouth, Job 40:4(NIV) and bury our face in the dust – there may yet be hope – Lamentations 3:29(NIV) crying out with the convicted leper under the law, “Unclean, unclean!” Leviticus 13:45(NIV)

If you place no trust in your holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in your eyes, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water! Job 15:15-16(NIV)

When our eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty, we have reason to cry, “Woe to us! We are ruined.” Isaiah 6:5(NIV)

Dominion and awe belong to you; you establish order in the heights of heaven. Your forces cannot be numbered; and upon whom does your light not rise? How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure? Job 25:2-4(NIV)

You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? Psalm 76:7(NIV) You, our God, are a consuming fire; Hebrews 12:29(NIV) and who knows the power of your anger? Psalm 90:11(NIV)

Even if we were innocent, our mouth would condemn us; if we were blameless, it would pronounce us guilty. Job 9:20(NIV) Though we wished to dispute with you, we could not answer you one time out of a thousand. Job 9:3(NIV)

If our consciences are clear, that does not make us innocent, for it is the Lord who judges us – 1 Corinthians 4:4(NIV) the Lord, who is greater than our hearts and knows everything. 1 John 3:20(NIV) But we ourselves know that we have sinned, Father, against heaven and against you, and are no longer worthy to be called your children. Luke 15:21(NIV)

O my God! I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because my sins are higher than my head and my guilt has reached to the heavens. Ezra 9:6(NIV)

I am covered with shame because I have sinned against you. Daniel 9:8(NIV)

I am unworthy – how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth, Job 40:4(NIV) and bury my face in the dust – there may yet be hope – Lamentations 3:29(NIV) crying out with the convicted leper under the law, “Unclean, unclean!” Leviticus 13:45(NIV)

If you place no trust in your holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in your eyes, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water! Job 15:15-16(NIV)

When my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty, I have reason to cry, “Woe to me! I am ruined.” Isaiah 6:5(NIV)

Dominion and awe belong to you; you establish order in the heights of heaven. Your forces cannot be numbered; and upon whom does your light not rise? How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure? Job 25:2-4(NIV)

You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? Psalm 76:7(NIV) You, my God, are a consuming fire; Hebrews 12:29(NIV) and who knows the power of your anger? Psalm 90:11(NIV)

Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty. Job 9:20(NIV) Though I wished to dispute with you, I could not answer you one time out of a thousand. Job 9:3(NIV)

If my conscience is clear, that does not make me innocent, for it is the Lord who judges me – 1 Corinthians 4:4(NIV) the Lord, who is greater than my heart and knows everything. 1 John 3:20(NIV) But I myself know that I have sinned, Father, against heaven and against you, and am no longer worthy to be called your child. Luke 15:21(NIV)

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