Category: ESV First Person

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Earnestly Pray for the Forgiveness of your Sins

Petition 3.1 | ESV

We must earnestly pray for the pardon and forgiveness of all our sins.

Lord, I come to you, as the poor tax collector that stood far off and would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast; and I pray his prayer, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Luke 18:13(ESV) The God of infinite mercy be merciful to me!

O wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Psalm 51:2-3(ESV) O purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow; Psalm 51:7(ESV) hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Psalm 51:9(ESV)

Be merciful toward my iniquities, and remember my sins no more. Hebrews 8:12(ESV) O forgive me that great debt. Matthew 18:32(ESV)

Let me be justified by your grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus, Romans 3:24(ESV) from everything from which I could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39(ESV)

O let not my iniquity be my ruin; Ezekiel 18:30(ESV) but let the Lord take away my sin, that I may not die, 2 Samuel 12:13(ESV) not die eternally; that I may not be hurt by the second death. Revelation 2:11(ESV)

Blot out my transgressions like a cloud and my sins like mist; for I return to you, because you have redeemed me. Isaiah 44:22(ESV)

Enter not into judgment with your servant, O Lord, for no one living is righteous before you. Psalm 143:2(ESV)

Take away all iniquity, accept what is good, heal my apostasy, and love me freely; let your anger be turned away from me, for in you the orphan finds mercy. Hosea 14:2-4(ESV)

Though my sins have been like scarlet, let them be as white as snow; and though they have been red like crimson, let them be like wool; that being willing and obedient, I may eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:18-19(ESV)

I will say to God, “Do not condemn me, Job 10:2(ESV) but deliver me from going down into the pit, for you have found the ransom.” Job 33:24(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Introduction to Petition

Petition 3.0 | ESV

Of the Third Part of Prayer, which is Petition and Supplication for the Good Things that we Stand in Need of.

Having opened the wounds of sin, both the guilt of it and the power of it, and its remainders in us, we must next seek unto God for the remedy, for healing and help, for from him alone it is to be expected, and this also he will let us ask him to do for us. Ezekiel 36:37(ESV) And now we must affect our hearts with a deep sense of the need we have of those mercies which we pray for, that we are undone, forever undone, without them; and, with a high esteem and value for them, that we are happy, we are made forever, if we obtain them; that we may like Jacob wrestle with him in prayer, as for our lives and the lives of our souls. But we must not think in our prayers to prescribe to him or by our importunity to move him. He knows us better than we know ourselves and knows what he will do. John 6:6(ESV) But thus, we open our wants and desires, and then refer ourselves to his wisdom and goodness; and hereby we give honor to him as our Protector and Benefactor, and take the way which he himself has appointed, of fetching in mercy from him, and by faith plead his promise with him: And if we are sincere in this, we are, through his grace, qualified according to the tenor of the new covenant to receive his favors, and are to be assured that we do and shall receive them. Mark 11:24(ESV)

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? Truly my hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool. Psalm 39:7-8(ESV)

Lord, all my longing is before you, and my sighing is not hidden from you, Psalm 38:9(ESV) even the sighs and groanings too deep for words; for, he who searches the heart knows what is the mind of the Spirit. Romans 8:26-27(ESV)

I do not think that I will be heard for my many words, for my Father knows what I need before I ask him; Matthew 6:7-8(ESV) but my Master has told me that whatever I ask of the Father in his name, he will give it to me. And he has said, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24(ESV)

And this is the confidence that I have toward him, that if I ask anything according to his will he hears me. And if I know that he hears me in whatever I ask, I know that I have the requests that I have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Humbly Profess your Sorrow and Shame for Sin

Confession 2.20 | ESV

We must humbly profess our sorrow and shame for sin, and humbly engage ourselves in the strength of divine grace, that we will be better and do better for the future.

Lord, I repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, Matthew 3:2(ESV) to which you have exalted your Son, Christ Jesus, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31(ESV)

I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes; Job 42:5-6(ESV) therefore will I be like a dove of the valley, moaning over my iniquities. Ezekiel 7:16(ESV)

O that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for my transgressions, Jeremiah 9:1(ESV) and might in such a manner sow in those tears as that at last I may reap in shouts of joy; may now go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, and may in due time come home with shouts of joy, bringing in my sheaves with me. Psalm 126:5-6(ESV)

My iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me; Psalm 38:4(ESV) but weary and heavy laden under this burden, I come to Christ, who has promised that in him I shall find rest for my soul. Matthew 11:28(ESV)

O knowing the affliction of my own heart, 1 Kings 8:38(ESV) may I look on him whom I have pierced, and may I mourn and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. Zechariah 12:10(ESV) That I may grieve after a godly sort, with that grief which produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret; 2 Corinthians 7:10(ESV) and that I may remember and be confounded, and never open my mouth again because of my shame, when you have atoned for me for all that I have done. Ezekiel 16:63(ESV)

And, O that I may bear fruit in keeping with repentance! Matthew 3:8(ESV) and may never again turn back to folly; Psalm 85:8(ESV) for what have I to do anymore with idols? Hosea 14:8(ESV) For sin will have no dominion over me, since I am not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14(ESV)

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. Psalm 119:176(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Give Glory to God for His Patience and Willingness to be Reconciled

Confession 2.19 | ESV

We must give to God the glory of his patience and long-suffering towards us and his willingness to be reconciled.

O the riches of the patience and forbearance of God! Romans 2:4(ESV) How patient he is toward me, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9(ESV)

You have not dealt with me according to my sins, nor repaid me according to my iniquities, Psalm 103:10(ESV) but you wait to be gracious to me. Isaiah 30:18(ESV)

Sentence against my evil deeds has not been executed speedily, Ecclesiastes 8:11(ESV) but you have given me time to repent and make my peace with you, Revelation 2:21(ESV) and call even a faithless son such as myself to return to you, and have promised to heal my faithlessness; and therefore, behold, I come to you, for you are the LORD my God. Jeremiah 3:22(ESV)

Surely the patience of my Lord is counted as salvation; 2 Peter 3:15(ESV) and if the LORD had meant to kill me, he would not now have shown me such things as these. Judges 13:23(ESV)

And O that this kindness of God might lead me to repentance! Romans 2:4(ESV) For though I have broken faith with my God, yet now there is hope for me in Israel in spite of this. Ezra 10:2(ESV)

You have said it and have confirmed it with an oath, that you have no pleasure in the death of sinners like me, but rather desire that I should turn and live. Ezekiel 33:11(ESV) Therefore will I rend my heart, and not my garment, and return to the LORD my God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him? Joel 2:13-14(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Understand the Condemning Nature of your Sin

Confession 2.18 | ESV

We must judge and condemn ourselves for our sins, and own ourselves liable to punishment.

And now, O my God, what shall I say after this, for I have forsaken your commandments? Ezra 9:10(ESV) I have sinned; what have I done to you, you watcher of mankind? Job 7:20(ESV)

I know that the law curses everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law and do them; Galatians 3:10(ESV) that the wages of every sin is death; Romans 6:23(ESV) and that for these things’ sake the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6(ESV)

And I am accountable to God; Romans 3:19(ESV) the Scripture has imprisoned me under sin; Galatians 3:22(ESV) and therefore you might justly be angry with me until you consumed me, so that I should neither be of your remnant, nor able to escape. Ezra 9:14(ESV)

If you should make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line, Isaiah 28:17(ESV) you might justly separate me to all evil, according to all the curses of the covenant, and blot out my name from under heaven. Deuteronomy 29:20(ESV)

You might justly swear in your wrath that I should never enter your rest; Psalm 95:11(ESV) might justly strip me naked and bare, Hosea 2:3(ESV) and take back my grain in its time, Hosea 2:9(ESV) and put into my hands the cup of staggering, and make me drink even to the dregs of that cup. Isaiah 51:17(ESV)

You have been righteous in all that has come upon me, for you have dealt faithfully and I have acted wickedly. Nehemiah 9:33(ESV) Indeed, my God has punished me less than my iniquities deserved. Ezra 9:13(ESV)

You therefore shall be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment; Psalm 51:4(ESV) and I will accept of the punishment of my iniquity, Leviticus 26:43(ESV) and humble myself under your mighty hand, 1 Peter 5:6(ESV) and say, “The LORD is righteous.” 2 Chronicles 12:6(ESV)

Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins? Lamentations 3:39(ESV) No, I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him. Micah 7:9(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Consider your Evil Sins in Light of the Corrections you have Received and the Vows you have Made

Confession 2.17 | ESV

The greater afflictions we have been under for sin, the greater is the sin if we go on in it.

You have struck me down, but I have felt no anguish; I have refused to take correction and have made my face harder than rock, Jeremiah 5:3(ESV) and the rod has not driven the folly out of my heart. Proverbs 22:15(ESV)

You have disciplined me with the rod of men and with the stripes of the sons of men, 2 Samuel 7:14(ESV) yet I have not turned to him who struck me, nor have I inquired of the LORD of hosts. Isaiah 9:13(ESV)

When some have been overthrown as Sodom and Gomorrah were, I have been as a brand plucked out of the burning; yet I have not returned to you, O LORD. Amos 4:11(ESV) And when your hand has been lifted up, I have not seen it. Isaiah 26:11(ESV)

The more vows and promises we have made of better obedience, the greater has been our sin.

I have not kept the terms of the covenant that I have made before you; Jeremiah 34:18(ESV) but as a traitor, I have betrayed. Isaiah 24:16(ESV)

Did I not say, “I would not transgress, Jeremiah 2:20(KJV) I would not offend anymore?” Job 34:31(ESV) I did, and yet I have returned with the dog to its own vomit; 2 Peter 2:22(ESV) I have returned to folly after God has spoken peace. Psalm 85:8(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Consider your Evil Sins in Light of the Mercies and Warnings of God

Confession 2.16 | ESV

The more mercies we have received from God, the greater has been our sin.

You have reared and brought me up as a child, but I have rebelled against you. Isaiah 1:2(ESV)

I have ill repaid you, O LORD, as a foolish and senseless person: You are my Father who created me, who made me and established me, yet my mark has not been the mark of one of your children. Deuteronomy 32:5-6(KJV)

I have not made return according to the benefit done to me. 2 Chronicles 32:25(ESV)

The fairer warning we have had from the word of God and from our own consciences concerning our danger of sin and danger by sin, the greater is the sin if we go on in it.

I have been often reproved, and yet have stiffened my neck, Proverbs 29:1(ESV) and have gone on backsliding in the way of my own heart. Isaiah 57:17(ESV)

You have sent to me, saying, “Oh, do not do this abomination that I hate!” But I have not listened or inclined my ear. Jeremiah 44:4-5(ESV)

The word of God has been to me precept upon precept and line upon line; Isaiah 28:13(ESV) and though I have looked intently at my natural face in a mirror, yet I have gone away and at once forgotten what I was like. James 1:23-24(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Consider your Evil Sins in Light of your Moral Knowledge and Profession of Faith

Confession 2.15 | ESV

We must aggravate* our sins and take notice of those things which make them more heinous in the sight of God and more dangerous to ourselves.

I bewail before you all my iniquities, all my transgressions, and all my sins. Leviticus 16:21(ESV)

The more knowledge we have of good and evil, the greater is our sin.

I have known my Master’s will but have not done it, and therefore deserve a severe beating. Luke 12:47(ESV)

I have known the way of the LORD and the justice of my God, and yet have broken the yoke and burst the bonds. Jeremiah 5:4-5(ESV)

I have known God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, and yet have not only done them, but given approval to those who practice them. Romans 1:32(ESV)

I have taught others, and yet have not taught myself; Romans 2:21(ESV) and while I profess to know God, I have denied him by my works. Titus 1:16(ESV)

The greater profession we have made of religion, the greater has been our sin.

I call myself after the holy city and stay myself on the God of Israel and confess his name, but not in truth and in righteousness. Isaiah 48:1-2(ESV) For I have dishonored that worthy name by which I have been called, James 2:23(ESV) and given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. 2 Samuel 12:14(ESV)

I have named the name of Christ, and yet have not departed from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19(ESV)

* The author means that we must look at our sins in the worst light, to see just how evil they are, taking into account the persons we have offended, the nature of the offense, the circumstances of our sin, etc. See The Westminster Larger Catechism, Questions 150 and 151. Editor.

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Acknowledge that Sin is an Affront to the Holy God and Damages the Soul

Confession 2.14 | ESV

The offense which by sin I have given to the Holy God.

By breaking the law I have dishonored God, Romans 2:23(ESV) and given bitter provocation Hosea 12:14(ESV) to the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 1:4(ESV) And many a thing that I have done has displeased the Lord. 2 Samuel 11:27(ESV)

God has been broken over my whoring heart and my eyes that have gone whoring after my idols. Ezekiel 6:9(ESV)

I have put him to the test, and to the proof, and grieved him in the wilderness; Psalm 95:9-10(ESV) have rebelled, and grieved his Holy Spirit, Isaiah 63:10(ESV) and pressed him down with my iniquities, as a cart full of sheaves presses down. Amos 2:13(ESV)

I have grieved the Holy Spirit of God, by whom I was sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30(ESV)

The damage which by sin I have done to my own soul and its great interests.

For my iniquities I was sold; Isaiah 50:1(ESV) and in sinning against you, I have wronged my own soul. Proverbs 8:36(KJV)

My sins have made a separation between me and my God, Isaiah 59:2(ESV) and have kept good from me; Jeremiah 5:25(ESV) and by them, my mind and conscience have been defiled. Titus 1:15(ESV)

My own evil has chastised me, and my apostasy has reproved me; and I cannot but know and see that it is evil and bitter for me to forsake the LORD my God, and that his fear has not been in me. Jeremiah 2:19(ESV)

O what fools are they who mock at sin! Proverbs 14:9(KJV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Acknowledge the Great Evil of Sin, its Unprofitableness and Deceitfulness

Confession 2.13 | ESV

The unprofitableness of sin.

I have sinned and perverted what was right, and it did not profit me. Job 33:27(KJV)

What fruit am I getting from the things of which I am now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. Romans 6:21(ESV) And what am I profited if I should gain the whole world and forfeit my own soul? Matthew 16:26(ESV)

The deceitfulness of sin.

Sin has deceived me, and through the commandment killed me; Romans 7:11(ESV) for my heart has been hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, Hebrews 3:13(ESV) and I have been lured and enticed by my own desire. James 1:14(ESV)

It has promised me freedom, but has made me the slave of corruption; 2 Peter 2:19(ESV) has promised me that I shall not surely die and that I shall be like God, Genesis 3:4-5(ESV) but it has flattered me and spread a net for my feet. Proverbs 29:5(ESV)

The pride of my heart, particularly, has deceived me. Obadiah 1:3(ESV)