Ezra's Prayer of Confession

Illustration of Ezra's Prayer of Confession
When Ezra learned that the returned exiles had already fallen into the same intermarriage with pagan nations that had caused the exile in the first place, he tore his garments, pulled out his hair, and fell on his knees in stunned grief before God.

Ezra's Prayer of Confession occurs in Ezra 9 after the Jewish exiles return from Babylon and discover that priests, Levites, and laypeople have intermarried with surrounding pagan nations, directly violating Mosaic law. Ezra responds by tearing his clothes and falling on his knees to recite a corporate prayer that recounts Israel's history of rebellion, admits the people's current guilt, and appeals to God's prior mercy in preserving a remnant. The prayer matters because it models public acknowledgment of sin without excuse and prompts national repentance, including the dissolution of unlawful marriages. In Scripture it illustrates the covenant pattern of judgment followed by restoration when leaders lead the community back to faithfulness.

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Category
Confession
Prayed by
Ezra

Key Chapters

Ezra 9 Ezra's Prayer of Confession 4 min read Ezra's heartfelt confession reminds us that God hears our honest repentance and ...

Key Passages

The Prayer

Ezra 9:5-15

Ezra's heartfelt confession reminds us that God hears our honest repentance and responds with mercy and restoration.

A5nd at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,

6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. 7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. 8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. 9 For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. 10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, 11 Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. 12 Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. 13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; 14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? 15 O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

Explore Related

Characters 1

Ezra Ezra was a Jewish priest and scribe active in the fifth century BC during the Persian Empire's rule overโ€ฆ

Themes 3

Repentance Repentance in the Bible is not mere regret - it is a complete turning, a change of mind and direction. Fromโ€ฆ Forgiveness Joseph forgave brothers who sold him into slavery. David was forgiven for murder. Peter was restored afterโ€ฆ Humility Moses was the meekest man on earth. Jesus washed feet. Paul called himself the chief of sinners. In God'sโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Ezra was so grieved he tore his garment AND his cloak - double mourning.

2

He pulled out his own hair - a sign of extreme distress in the ancient world.

3

His prayer led to national repentance without him ever issuing a command.