Spurgeon's Prayer: The Depths of Human Sin

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
— Romans 3:23 (BSB)

If you think you can save yourself, it is because you do not know yourself.
— Charles Spurgeon

Lord, we once believed that our hearts were not as corrupt as Your Word described. But we now confess, with deep sorrow, the reality of our sinful nature. We acknowledge that if it were not for Your grace restraining us, we would have been capable of far worse than we ever imagined. Even now, as believers, we know that our old nature fights against the new life You have given us. Left unchecked, our hearts are capable of dishonoring Christ and denying Your love.

Father, our hearts deceive us constantly. We think ourselves humble, yet pride quickly rises when we are praised. We believe we are full of faith, but doubt and skepticism creep in at the slightest trial. We are so deceitful that we sometimes suspect even You, the God of truth, of falsehood. This base heart of ours is filled with evil that could corrupt every aspect of our lives.

Yet, Lord, despite all of this, You remain merciful. Your Word has silenced our boasting and reminded us that we are nothing without You. If there is any goodness in us, it is because of Your grace. If there is any glory, it belongs to You alone. We confess our shame before You, knowing that our only hope is found in Christ.

Thank You for not leaving us to ourselves. Thank You for the new life You have given us, a life that counteracts the death and corruption within. May we never forget that without You, we are lost. Let Your mercy continue to sanctify us, guiding us away from the sins that so easily entangle. Amen.