Ezra's prayer

Ever prayed this prayer?

Ezra was a devout man. He led a group of exile returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. Once there, he was spiritual reformer, and lived the rest of his life as a private citizen.

He called Israel to repentance after realizing that they had adopted many of the pagan inhabitants' practices. They had married pagan wives, and mixed the holy seed which would produce Jesus with the pagans...and that the rulers had done this more than anyone!!

He tore his garment and pulled out his hair and beard, and sat down astonished.

He prayed this prayer. This is from the New King James....

Ezra 9:6-7

And I said, "O my GOD, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to you, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens.

Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been very guilty, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to humiliation, as it is this day".

I felt like I could relate to Ezra...because there has been many times I felt to ashamed to even call out to GOD. I had used his grace for a hammock, and thought I sounded unbelievable asking for his help....over the same thing......AGAIN!!