A Method for Prayer01 Matthew Henry
perform that which is good we find not; for the good that we would do we doit not, and the evil which we would not do that we do. John
3:6. Genesis 3:19. 1 Corinthians 15:49. Romans 7:18, 19.
We have a law in our members warring against the law of our mind and bringing us into captivity to the law of sin that is in our members: So that when we would do good, evil is present with us, and most easily besets us. Romans 7:23, 21. Hebrews 12:1.
The whole head is sick, the whole heart faint, from the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in us, but wounds and bruises, and putrifying sores. Isaiah 1:5, 6.
There is in us a bent to backslide from the living God: Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know them? They stare aside like a broken bow. Hosea 11:7.
Jeremiah 17:9. Hosea 7:16.
5. WE MUST LAMENT AND CONFESS OUR OMISSIONS OF OUR DUTY, OUR NEGLECT OF IT, AND TRIFLINGS IN IT, AND THAT WE HAVE DONE SO LITTLE SINCE WE CAME INTO THE WORLD OF THE GREAT WORKWE WERE SENT INTO THE WORLD ABOUT, SO VERY LITTLE TO ANSWER THE END EITHER OF OUR CREATION OR OF OUR REDEMPTION, OF OUR BIRTH OR OF OUR BAPTISM, AND THAT WE HAVE PROFITED NO MORE BY THE MEANS OF GRACE.
We have been as fig-trees planted in the vineyard, and you have come many years seeking fruit from us, but have found none; and therefore, we might justly have been cut down and cast into the fire for cumbering the ground: You have come looking for grapes, but behold wild grapes; orwe have been empty vines, bringing forth fruit unto ourselves. Luke 13:6, 7. Matthew 3:10. Isaiah 5:4. Hosea
We have known to do good but have not done it: We have hid our Lord's money, and therefore deserve the doom of the wicked and slothful servant. James 4:17. Matthew 25:18, 26.
We have been unfaithful stewards, that have wasted our Lord's goods; for one sinner destroys much good. Luke 16:1. Ecclesiastes
Manya price hath been put into our hand to get wisdom, which we have had no heart to; or our heart has been at our left hand.
Proverbs 17:16. Ecclesiastes 10:2.
Our childhood and youth was vanity, and we have brought our years to an end, as a tale that is told. Ecclesiastes We have not known, or improved, the day of our visitation, have not provided meat in summer, nor gathered food in harvest, though we have had guides, overseers and rulers. Luke 19:44. Proverbs 6:8, 7.
We are slow ofheart to understand and believe, and whereas for the time we might have been teachers of others, we are yet to learn the first principles of the oracles of God, have need ofmilk, and cannot bear strong meat. Luke 24:25. Hebrews 5:12.