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KJV 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 | KJV

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

Thou hast stricken me, but I have not grieved; I have refused to receive correction and have made my face harder than a rock, Jeremiah 5:3(KJV) and the rod hath not driven the foolishness out of my heart. Proverbs 22:15(KJV)

Thou hast chastened me with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men, 2 Samuel 7:14(KJV) yet I have not turned to him that smiteth me, nor have I sought the Lord of hosts. Isaiah 9:13(KJV)

When some have been overthrown as Sodom and Gomorrah were, I have been as a brand plucked out of the fire; yet have I not returned unto thee, O Lord. Amos 4:11(KJV) And when thy hand has been lifted up, I have not seen it. Isaiah 26:11(KJV)

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

I have not performed the words of the covenant which I have made before thee; Jeremiah 34:18(KJV) but as a treacherous dealer, I have dealt treacherously. Isaiah 24:16(KJV)

Did I not say I would not transgress, Jeremiah 2:20(KJV) I would not offend any more? Job 34:31(KJV) I did, and yet I have returned with the dog to his vomit; 2 Peter 2:22(KJV) I have returned to folly after God hath spoken peace. Psalm 85:8(KJV)

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KJV First Person Method for Prayer

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

Confession 2.16 | KJV

The more mercies I have received from God, the greater has been my sin.

Thou hast nourished and brought me up as a child, but I have rebelled against thee. Isaiah 1:2(KJV)

I have ill requited thee, O Lord, as a foolish person and unwise: Thou art my Father that made me and bought me and established me, yet my spot has not been the spot of one of thy children. Deuteronomy 32:5-6(KJV)

I have not rendered again according to the benefit done unto me. 2 Chronicles 32:25(KJV)

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

I have been often reproved, and yet have hardened my neck, Proverbs 29:1(KJV) and have gone on frowardly in the way of my heart. Isaiah 57:17(KJV)

Thou hast sent to me, saying, O do not this abominable thing which I hate; but I have not hearkened nor inclined my ear. Jeremiah 44:4-5(KJV)

The word of God hath been to me precept upon precept and line upon line; Isaiah 28:13(KJV) and though I have beheld my natural face in the glass, yet I have gone away and straightway forgot what manner of man I am. James 1:23-24(KJV)

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KJV First Person Method for Prayer

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

Confession 2.15 | KJV

I must aggravate* my sins and take notice of those things which make them more heinous in the sight of God and more dangerous to myself.

I bewail before thee all my sins and all my transgressions in all my sins. Leviticus 16:21(KJV)

The more knowledge I have of good and evil, the greater is my sin.

I have known my Master’s will but have not done it, and therefore deserve to be beaten with many stripes. Luke 12:47(KJV)

I have known the way of the Lord and the judgments of my God, and yet have altogether broken the yoke and burst the bonds. Jeremiah 5:4-5(KJV)

I have known the judgment of God, that they which do such things are worthy of death, and yet have done them and have had pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:32(KJV)

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

The greater profession I have made of religion, the greater hath been my sin.

I call myself of the holy city and stay myself upon the God of Israel and make mention of his name, but not in truth and in righteousness. Isaiah 48:1-2(KJV) For I have dishonoured that worthy name by which I am called, James 2:23(KJV) and given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. 2 Samuel 12:14(KJV)

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

* 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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KJV First Person Method for Prayer

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

Confession 2.14 | KJV

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

By breaking the law I have dishonoured God, Romans 2:23(KJV) and have provoked the Holy One of Israel Isaiah 1:4(KJV) to anger most bitterly. Hosea 12:14(kJV) And many a thing that I have done hath displeased the Lord. 2 Samuel 11:27(KJV)

God has been broken by my whorish heart and my eyes that have gone a whoring after my idols. Ezekiel 6:9(KJV)

I have tempted him and proved him and grieved him in the wilderness; Psalm 95:9-10(KJV) have rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit, Isaiah 63:10(KJV) and pressed him with my iniquities, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves. Amos 2:13(KJV)

I have grieved the Holy Spirit of God, by whom I am sealed to the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30(KJV)

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

By my iniquities I have sold myself; Isaiah 50:1(KJV) and in sinning against thee, I have wronged my own soul. Proverbs 8:36(KJV)

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

My own wickedness hath corrected me, and backslidings have reproved me; and I cannot but know and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that I have forsaken the Lord my God, and that his fear hath not been in me. Jeremiah 2:19(KJV)

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

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KJV First Person Method for Prayer

Acknowledge the Great Evil of Sin, its Unprofitableness and Deceitfulness

Confession 2.13 | KJV

The unprofitableness of sin.

I have sinned and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not. Job 33:27(KJV)

What fruit have I now in these things whereof I have cause to be ashamed, seeing the end of those things is death? Romans 6:21(KJV) And what am I profited, if I should gain the whole world and lose my own soul? Matthew 16:26(KJV)

The deceitfulness of sin.

Sin hath deceived me, and by the commandment slain me; Romans 7:11(KJV) for my heart has been hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, Hebrews 3:13(KJV) and I have been drawn away of my own lust and enticed. James 1:14(KJV)

It has promised me liberty, but has made me the servant of corruption; 2 Peter 2:19(KJV) hath promised me that I shall not surely die and that I shall be as a god, Genesis 3:4-5(KJV) but it has flattered me and spread a net for my feet. Proverbs 29:5(KJV)

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

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KJV First Person Method for Prayer

Acknowledge the Great Evil of Sin, its Sinfulness and Foolishness

Confession 2.12 | KJV

I must acknowledge the great evil that there is in sin, and in my sin; the malignity of its nature, and its mischievousness to me.

The sinfulness of sin.

O that sin may appear sin to me, may appear in its own colours; and that by the commandment I may see it to be exceeding sinful, Romans 7:13(KJV) because it is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4(KJV)

By every willful sin I have in effect said, I will not have this man to reign over me. Luke 19:14(KJV) And, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice? Exodus 5:2(KJV) And thus have I reproached the Lord, Numbers 15:30(KJV) and cast his laws behind my back. Nehemiah 9:26(KJV)

The foolishness of sin.

O God, thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hid from thee. Psalm 69:5(KJV) I was foolish in being disobedient, Titus 3:3(KJV) and my lusts are foolish and hurtful. 1 Timothy 6:9(KJV)

Foolishness was bound up in my heart when I was a child; Proverbs 22:15(KJV) for though vain man would be wise, he is born like the wild ass’s colt. Job 11:12(KJV)

My way hath been my folly, Psalm 49:13(KJV) and in many instances I have done foolishly. 2 Samuel 24:10(KJV)

So foolish have I been and ignorant, and even as a beast before God. Psalm 73:22(KJV)

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KJV First Person Method for Prayer

Bewail your Sins of the Tongue and Spiritual Sloth

Confession 2.11 | KJV

My tongue sins.

In the multitude of my words there wanteth not sin, Proverbs 10:19(KJV) nor can a man full of talk be justified. Job 11:2(KJV)

While the lips of the righteous feed many, Proverbs 10:21(KJV) my lips have poured out foolishness, Proverbs 15:2(KJV) and spoken frowardness. Proverbs 10:32(KJV)

Much corrupt communication hath proceeded out of my mouth; that foolish talking and jesting which is not convenient, Ephesians 5:4(KJV) and little of that which is good and to the use of edifying, and which might minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29(KJV)

If for every idle word that men speak they must give an account, and if by my words I must be justified, and if by my words I must be condemned, Matthew 12:36-37(KJV) woe unto me, for I am undone; for I am of unclean lips and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. Isaiah 6:5(KJV)

What would become of me, if God should make my own tongue to fall upon me? Psalm 64:8(KJV)

My spiritual slothfulness and decay.

I have been slothful in the business of religion and not fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11(KJV)

The things which remain are ready to die, and my works have not been found perfect before God. Revelation 3:2(KJV)

I have observed the winds, and therefore have not sown; have regarded the clouds, and therefore have not reaped; Ecclesiastes 11:4(KJV) and with the sluggard have frighted myself with the fancy of a lion in the way, a lion in the streets, and have turned on my bed as the door on the hinges, Proverbs 26:13-14(KJV) still crying, Yet a little sleep and a little slumber. Proverbs 6:10(KJV)

I have lost my first love, Revelation 2:4(KJV) and where is now the blessedness I sometimes spoke of? Galatians 4:15(KJV)

My goodness hath been as the morning cloud and the early dew which soon passeth away. Hosea 6:4(KJV)

And that which is at the bottom of all is the evil heart of unbelief in me, which inclines me to depart from the living God. Hebrews 3:12(KJV)

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KJV First Person Method for Prayer

Bewail your Lack of Love for Others

Confession 2.10 | KJV


My uncharitableness towards my brethren, and unpeaceableness with my relations, neighbours, and friends, and perhaps injustice towards them.

I have been very guilty concerning my brother; Genesis 42:21(KJV) for I have not studied the things that make for peace, nor things wherewith I might edify others. Romans 14:19(KJV)

I have been ready to judge my brother and to set at nought my brother, forgetting that I must shortly stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10(KJV)

Contrary to the royal law of charity, I have vaunted myself and been puffed up, have behaved myself unseemly and sought my own; I have been easily provoked, have rejoiced in iniquity, 1 Corinthians 13:4-6(KJV) and been secretly glad at calamities. Proverbs 17:5(KJV)

I have been desirous of vain glory, provoking others, envying others, Galatians 5:26(KJV) when I should have considered others, to provoke to love and to good works. Hebrews 10:24(KJV)

The bowels of my compassion have been shut up from those that are in need; 1 John 3:17(KJV) and I have hidden myself from my own flesh. Isaiah 58:7(KJV) Nay, perhaps my eye has been evil against my poor brother, Deuteronomy 15:9(KJV) and I have despised the poor. James 2:6(KJV)

And if in any thing I have gone beyond and defrauded my brother, 1 Thessalonians 4:6(KJV) if I have walked with vanity, and my foot hath hasted to deceit, Job 31:5(KJV) and any blot hath cleaved to my hands, Job 31:7(KJV) Lord, discover it to me, that if I have done iniquity, I may do so no more. Job 34:32(KJV)

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KJV First Person Method for Prayer

Bewail your False Security, Fretfulness, and Impatience | KJV

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

I have put far from me the evil day; Amos 6:3(KJV) and in my prosperity have said, I shall never be moved, Psalm 30:6(KJV) as if tomorrow must needs be as this day, and much more abundant. Isaiah 56:12(KJV)

I have encouraged my soul to take its ease, to eat and drink and be merry, as if I had goods laid up for many years, when perhaps this night my soul may be required of me. Luke 12:19-20(KJV)

I have been ready to trust in uncertain riches, more than in the living God; 1 Timothy 6:17(KJV) to say to the gold, Thou art my hope, and to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence. Job 31:24(KJV)

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

When thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, I have been as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke; Jeremiah 31:18(KJV) and though my own foolishness hath perverted my way, yet my heart hath fretted against the Lord; Proverbs 19:3(KJV) and thus, in my distress I have trespassed yet more against the Lord. 2 Chronicles 28:22(KJV)

I have either despised the chastening of the Lord or fainted when I have been rebuked of him; Proverbs 3:11(KJV) and if I faint in the day of adversity, my strength is small. Proverbs 24:10(KJV)

I have said in my haste, I am cast off from before thine eyes; Psalm 31:22(KJV) and that the Lord hath forsaken me, my God hath forgotten me; Isaiah 49:14(KJV) as if God would be favourable no more; Psalm 77:7(KJV) as if he had forgotten to be gracious and had in anger shut up his tender mercies. This has been my infirmity. Psalm 77:9-10(KJV)

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KJV First Person Method for Prayer

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

Confession 2.8 | KJV

The breaking out of passion and rash anger.

I have not had the rule which I ought to have had over my own spirit, which has therefore been as a city that is broken down and has no walls. Proverbs 25:28(KJV)

I have been soon angry, and anger hath rested in my bosom. Ecclesiastes 7:9(KJV) And when my spirit has been provoked, I have spoken unadvisedly with my lips, Psalm 106:33(KJV) and have been guilty of that clamour and bitterness which should have been put far from me. Ephesians 4:31(KJV)

My covetousness and love of the world.

My conversation has not been without covetousness, Hebrews 13:5(KJV) nor have I learned in every state to be content with such things as I have. Philippians 4:11(KJV)

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

I have sought great things to myself when thou hast said, Seek them not. Jeremiah 45:5(KJV)

My sensuality and flesh-pleasing.

I have minded the things of the flesh more than the things of the Spirit, Romans 8:5(KJV) and have lived in pleasure in the earth and have been wanton, and have nourished my heart as in a day of slaughter. James 5:5(KJV)

I have made provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts of it, Romans 13:14(KJV) even those lusts which war against my soul; 1 Peter 2:11(KJV) and in many instances, have acted as if I had been a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God. 2 Timothy 3:4(KJV)

When I did eat and when I did drink, did I not eat to myself and drink to myself? Zechariah 7:6(KJV)