Matthew Henry: Piercing Heaven – Puritan’s Prayers

We are ashamed, Lord, and we blush to lift up our faces before you.

Our sins increase over our head, and our trespasses rise up to the heavens. To us belong shame and confusion, because we have sinned against you.

How can we answer you? If it would help, we would lay our hands on our mouths, put our mouths in the dust, and cry “Unclean! Unclean!” with the leper under the law.

When our eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts, we have reason to cry out, “Woe to us, for we are undone!”

Dominion and fear are with you. You are a consuming fire; who knows the power of your anger?

Who may stand in your sight when once you are angry? If we try to justify ourselves, our own mouths will condemn us. You, who are greater than our hearts, know all things.

We ourselves know that we have sinned, Father, against heaven and before you, and are no more worthy to be called your children.

But there is forgiveness, mercy, and redemption with you. You will not despise a broken and a contrite heart, though you are the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is holy.

Though heaven is your throne, and the earth your footstool, still you will look to the poor and humble person who trembles at your word. You revive the spirit of the humble, and the heart of the contrite.

The ones who cover their sins will not prosper, yet those that confess and forsake them will find mercy. You have said that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Amen.