A PRAYER OF CONFESSION

PROCLAMATION

“And I said, ‘My God, I am ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God, for our wrongful deeds …”  Ezra 9:6 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The Bible Book of Ezra was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar, according to Jewish tradition.  After they had traveled safely to Jerusalem and delivered the gold, silver, and the vessels to the chief priests, the officials approached Ezra and told him that the people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites had not separated themselves from the people of the land.  They had taken the daughters of the local people as wives for themselves, and for their sons, and intermingled with them. (Ezra 9:1-2)   When Ezra heard this, he tore his garment and his robe, pulled out some of his hair and beard, and just sat down appalled for the remainder of the day.  That evening he went to the evening offering wearing his torn garments.  He bowed down prostrate before the altar for The Lord God and confessed that in spite of all that He had done for them, the Israelites had sinned and intermarried with the unclean people of the land.  He said that we have done what You said not to do by taking their daughters as wives. (Ezra 9:3-12)  After all of the evil that we have done, and since You have spared us by inflicting upon us less than our wrongdoings deserve, and allowing us to escape captivity, and now we break Your commandments and intermarry with the people who committed that which You consider abominations.  Ezra said, “Lord God of Israel, You are righteous … we are before You in our guilt, for no one can stand before You because of this.” (Ezra 9:13-15)  

 

APPLICATION

All of us have sinned. (Romans 3:23)  None of us are righteous. (Romans 3:10)  The Bible says that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)  If we are sincere, all of our sins can be forgiven.  The only sin which will not be forgiven is blasphemy of The Holy Spirit. (Mark 3:29 and Luke 12:10)  With respect to all other sins, we need to pray and as to be forgiven.  However, The Bible also says we should humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face, and we should turn from our wicked ways, then He will hear our prayers. (2 Chronicles 7:14)