Ezra 9 · Grade 4
A Prayer of Confession
Read and Think
Some leaders came to Ezra. They said many people had not kept apart from the ways of the nations around them. They had married into those families, and leaders had been first in this trespass. God had warned in the law that such marriages would turn Israel's hearts to other gods.
Ezra tore his garment and robe, pulled hair from his head and beard, and sat appalled. All who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered to him. At the evening offering, he fell on his knees and spread out his hands to Yahweh.
Ezra did not say they but we. He confessed that their iniquities had risen over their heads. He said God had punished them less than they deserved. God had left some of them alive. God had shown them kindness through the kings of Persia. He asked whether they would again break God's commandments, and admitted that no one could stand before God in their guilt.
Show What You Know
Who had been first in this trespass?
What had God warned such marriages would do?
What word did Ezra use instead of they?
What three kindnesses did Ezra remember?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Ezra tore his garment and , pulled hair from his head and beard, and sat appalled.
- All who trembled at the words of the of Israel gathered to him.
- At the evening offering, he fell on his and spread out his hands to Yahweh.
- God had shown them through the kings of Persia.
Think About It
Ezra prayed using we instead of they. How can you pray for your family, church, or nation in a humble way?
Ezra was grieved by sin, but he also remembered God's grace. How can you hold both together when you confess sin?
Memory Verse
“Now for a little moment grace has been shown from Yahweh our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a stake in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and revive us a little in our bondage.”
Ezra 9:8 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for forgiving me. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How did Ezra include himself in the prayer?
- How did Ezra describe God's grace?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.