Ezra’s Prayer Of Confession

I prayed, “O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors until now, we have been steeped in sin. That is why we and our kings and our priests have been at the mercy of the pagan kings of the land. We have been killed, captured, robbed, and disgraced, just as we are today.

Ezra 9:6-8

Although the Israelites had accumulated “sins piled higher than [their] heads,” God had been merciful to them, allowing some of them to survive their exile to Babylon and return to Jerusalem. But the remnant of Israelites God saved had not learned their lesson. They immediately began disobeying God again. Because of this, Ezra is embarrassed to approach God on behalf of his people.

Sometimes confessing sin is embarrassing and awkward. At those times, remind yourself that the Lord loves to restore and forgive those who approach him with a humble and contrite heart.

• Dear Lord, though I am ashamed of my sin, I know that you will not abandon me as I confess my sins to you . . .